2025 is the year I made my big switch. Tired of the greasy feeling and weird smell, I gave up on mineral/ physical sunscreens and took a chance on a Korean sunscreen, which uses chemicals to mitigate UV rays.

Application. Comfort. Ease of Use.

I wear a chemical sunscreen on my face nearly every day, and it certainly has its advantages. It applies like a regular moisturizer, and it doesn't cause my makeup to slip during application or break up later.

There is no "white cast" like with traditional physical sunscreens, which use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect the sun's rays.

This is the brand I use, in case you're wondering. They aren't paying me, but are welcome to send me a bottle if they like:

Despite all its advantages, this seemingly miraculous product is not approved by the FDA. Why?

According to Cole Dermatology, chemical sunscreens use "organic compounds such as avobenzone, octisalate, and octocrylene," which absorb UV radiation and convert it to heat.

Unlike mineral sunscreens, you need to give chemical sunscreens 20 minutes to absorb into the skin before sun exposure. Traditional sunscreen, since it's a physical barrier, acts immediately.

So some folks are baking their skin for 20 minutes before the sunscreen begins to work. I just learned this, so it's lucky I take about that long to get my makeup and hair done after my sunscreen application.

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Additionally, chemical sunscreens can cause reactions in some people. Remember to always patch test before trying any type of new skin care.

Chemical sunscreen also breaks down faster than physical sunscreen, and should be reapplied every two hours. I'll admit that I do not do that unless I'm continually out in the sun.

According to TODAY, there is also some question into how much of these chemicals get absorbed into your blood stream, and if there are any adverse health effects.

However, "the FDA is clear that even if a small amount of chemical sunscreen ingredients are absorbed, that doesn't automatically equate to health risks."

Ultimately, the real reason the FDA hasn't approved them yet (if they will) is because they haven't had enough time/data to meet their rigorous standards. If you want to take a serious deep dive, you can read more from the FDA.

Ultimately, I believe you should use the sunscreen you'll actually wear for daily use. But for a serious beach/ pool day? It's probably best to deal with the greasy traditional standby.