The US Food and Drug Administration has approved bemotrizinol, a new sunscreen ingredient hailed as a safer option than many current chemical filters used in the US. This marks the first new sunscreen approval in 20 years, reports BritPanorama.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy stated, “Bemotrizinol has been used safely in Europe for decades, and FDA’s action will increase competition and consumer confidence in sunscreen products.” This is viewed as a significant step towards improving the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens available to the American public.
According to a report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), there are currently few sunscreen options in the US that meet both safety and efficacy standards. The approval of BEMT is particularly timely, as many US sunscreens excel at blocking ultraviolet B (UVB) rays but often fall short in providing adequate protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which are primarily responsible for skin cancer and premature aging.
Research conducted by EWG has revealed that many sunscreens in the US offer just 24% of the UVA protection that consumers expect based on their sun protection factor (SPF) labels. Unlike common filters, bemotrizinol offers better UVA protection and is less likely to be absorbed into the skin, making it a standout option in comparison to existing products.
Alexa Friedman, a senior scientist at EWG, emphasized the benefits of BEMT: “It is highly photostable — meaning it won’t break down when hot summer sun hits your skin — unlike avobenzone, currently the only non-mineral filter in the U.S. that provides meaningful UVA coverage.” Moreover, BEMT can be combined with zinc oxide to enhance broad-spectrum protection while minimizing the visible residue typical of mineral sunscreens.
A new, safer chemical sunscreen
Of the 550 sunscreen products recommended by EWG in their 2026 report, 497 are primarily mineral-based, which work by physically blocking UV rays rather than absorbing them. This approach significantly reduces skin irritation and toxicity, drawing a clear distinction between mineral and chemical sunscreens.
Traditional chemical sunscreens, there are concerns about their absorption into the bloodstream. A 2019 FDA study noted that several commonly used ingredients could reach unsafe levels within just one day of application. The efficacy and safety of existing products have led to calls for reform, and the addition of bemotrizinol reflects a shift towards modernizing US sunscreen standards.
“This is a great day for American consumers and everyone who has fought to improve sunscreen options and close the UVA protection gap in U.S. sunscreens,” David Andrews, chief science officer at EWG, noted in a statement. He further remarked, “For decades, Americans have used outdated sunscreen tech while the rest of the world moved forward. The approval of bemotrizinol will help change that.”
This development comes at a crucial time for public health, as awareness about the risks associated with sun exposure continues to grow. The integration of bemotrizinol into the market might not only meet consumer demand for safer skincare options but also set a new standard for sunscreen efficacy moving forward.
