What Is Bemotrizinol, the FDA’s Newly Approved Sunscreen Ingredient?

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.