The Wait Is Over: FDA Approves Bemotrizinol
For the first time in more than 25 years, the FDA has approved a new sunscreen filter: bemotrizinol (BEMT). This long-awaited decision brings a sunscreen ingredient already used throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia to the United States.
What Is Bemotrizinol?
Bemotrizinol is a broad-spectrum UV filter, meaning it protects against both:
- UVA rays, which contribute to wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin aging
- UVB rays, which cause sunburns
Unlike some older sunscreen filters, bemotrizinol is highly photostable, meaning it doesn't rapidly break down in sunlight. It can also help stabilize other sunscreen ingredients in a formula.
What About Safety?
Although bemotrizinol is new to the U.S., it is not new to the world. The ingredient has been used internationally since 1999 and has accumulated decades of real-world safety data.
Studies reviewed by regulators found:
- Minimal skin absorption
- Low irritation potential
- No evidence of significant systemic safety concerns at approved concentrations
The FDA determined that bemotrizinol is safe and effective for adults and children 6 months of age and older.
When Will It Be Available?
Don't expect to see it in your local pharmacy tomorrow.
DSM-Firmenich, the company that pursued FDA approval, will initially market bemotrizinol in the U.S. under the name Parsol® Shield. The company has an 18-month exclusivity period, so the first products are expected to begin appearing later in 2026, with broader adoption likely in 2027 and beyond.
What Does This Mean for Consumers?
This is welcome news for American sunscreen users. Bemotrizinol gives formulators access to a modern UV filter that has been available abroad for decades and may lead to more cosmetically elegant, broad-spectrum sunscreens in the years ahead.
The bottom line:
Bemotrizinol is a meaningful addition to the U.S. sunscreen toolbox. It has a strong international safety record, excellent UV protection, and the potential to improve future sunscreen formulations.
And that's something worth celebrating.
