The FDA Approved a New Sunscreen Ingredient—Shop SPF Deals Now
June 18, 2026 1,220 views

The FDA Approved a New Sunscreen Ingredient—Shop SPF Deals Now

By Emma Richardson
Bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen active ingredient approved in the U.S. in more than 25 years, won't hit shelves overnight. While we wait, these viral SPF lotions, sticks, and oils are on sale. It's a running joke that American sunscreens aren't as good as European, Asian, or Australian sunscreens. Yet, we might b

Bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen active ingredient approved in the U.S. in more than 25 years, won't hit shelves overnight. While we wait, these viral SPF lotions, sticks, and oils are on sale.

It's a running joke that American sunscreens aren't as good as European, Asian, or Australian sunscreens. Yet, we might be about to measure up, thanks to this recent development. After 25 years, the FDA cleared bemotrizinol, a chemical filter that international sun protection has used for decades, which protects your skin against both UVA and UVB rays

While there aren't any sunscreens formulated with this new ingredient available for us to buy right now, this is a major step toward making sun protection better in the USA. Thanks to this huge development, we've got sunscreen on the brain.

Now is the time to stock up on sunscreen without spending too much. Just in time for Prime Day, there are plenty of viral SPF lotions, sticks, and oils on sale for up to 20% off. So, keep scrolling to learn more about this new sunscreen filter and shop the best sunscreen deals available on Amazon right now!

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved bemotrizinol, also known as BEMT, for use in over-the-counter sunscreens. It's the first new sunscreen active ingredient approved in the United States in more than 25 years.

Bemotrizinol is a broad-spectrum UV filter that helps protect skin from both UVA and UVB rays. It's also highly photostable, meaning it doesn't break down as quickly when exposed to sunlight. Because of those qualities, the ingredient has been widely used in sunscreen formulas across Europe, Asia, and Australia for years. While many U.S. sunscreens already offer broad-spectrum protection, American brands have had access to a much smaller toolbox of approved UV filters than their international counterparts.

Bemotrizinol gives formulators another option for creating lightweight, effective sunscreens with strong UV protection. That's why sunscreen experts see this approval as such a significant milestone. Consumers won't find bemotrizinol-based sunscreens on U.S. shelves just yet, but the decision could pave the way for a new generation of sunscreen formulas in the years ahead.

It might take a while for us to see bemotrizinol-filled sunscreens on our store shelves. The FDA is exclusively limited to a single manufacturer, PARSOL Shield, for 18 months. Afterwards, the filter is free to use for everyone, regardless of the manufacturer. 

It's not as easy as selling international-made sunscreen here, either. While bemotrizinol was cleared, these sunscreens from Europe, Asia, and Australia have other filters and ingredients that haven't been approved by the FDA yet. In other words, we will have to wait for brands to reformulate or make new products with this filter. We predict these new formulas will start to launch next spring or summer

Protect your skin with this fan-favorite SPF 45 Korean sunscreen that promises to be hydrating, lightweight, and soothing with zero white cast. 

Did you know this viral, celeb-loved Korean brand have a SPF 50 sunscreen of its own? It delivers healither-looking skin that feels lightweight and blends effortlessly with makeup.

Infused with sunflower seed oil and bisabolol, this sunscreen stick by e.l.f. Cosmetics (the iconic affordable brand that always goes viral) promises SPF 50 protection that won't clog pores. 

This Korean sunscreen features a watery texture and a formula rich in soothing, deeply hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Centella Asiatica Extract.

This sunscreen is formulated with SPF 50, Vitamin E, cacao, and cotton to protect, strengthen, fight against aging, and help relieve redness for your skin. 

This K-beauty SPF offers advanced UVA protection and has a lightweight formula that leaves you glowing. Ideal for daily wear under makeup, it's formulated with sunflower oil, green tea, and cica.

This Korean sunscreen stick is infused with SPF 50, hyaluronic acid, cica, and allantoin that promise to protect against UVA and UVB rays, while smoothing, hydrating, and soothing your skin. 

This set includes two travel-friedly bottles of the Vacation Chardonnay Oil, which delivers protection, shine, and hydration with its blend of Chardonnay Grapseed oil, Marula oil, passion fruit seed oil, jojoba oil, shea oil, Vitamin E, and bisabolol.

Looking for more deals? Shop the best celeb-loved beauty products on sale for Prime Day!

The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.

As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.