First New Sunscreen Type in 25 Years Hits US Shelves

For the first time in more than 25 years, Americans have a new option when shopping for sunscreen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved bemotrizinol, also known as BEMT, in June 2026. Products containing the ingredient, including formulas from Neutrogena, are now arriving on store shelves.

Broad Protection Without Cosmetic Downsides

BEMT is the first chemical-based sunscreen ingredient in the U.S. to offer broad-spectrum protection in a single molecule. This means it blocks both UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays, which are linked to skin cancer and wrinkles. Previously, manufacturers had to combine multiple ingredients to achieve this dual protection.

Dermatologists note that the new ingredient addresses a significant gap in the market. While mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have long offered broad protection, they often leave a white cast or feel heavy on the skin. This has led some consumers, particularly those with darker complexions, to avoid them.

"Those are good sunscreens," said Jennifer Stein, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health. "But for people who aren’t so inclined to use them — maybe they don’t like how it feels on their skin — this is a nice option."

David Andrews, PhD, chief science officer of the Environmental Working Group, stated, "This ingredient provides a solution for what is currently a big gap with respect to providing strong UVA protection."

Safety and Stability

The FDA designated BEMT as "generally recognized as safe and effective" after reviewing studies conducted by Dutch manufacturer DSM Nutritional Products. The agency found that levels of the chemical absorbed into the skin were nearly undetectable. Stein explained that BEMT is "a molecule that’s too big to really penetrate through the skin and get absorbed into the bloodstream," unlike older chemical sunscreens with smaller molecules.

The approval comes shortly after the FDA revoked approval of oxybenzone, an older chemical ingredient, due to concerns about its absorption. Agency reviewers noted that research on BEMT showed it "did not cause irritation" or allergic reactions in people who used it daily for up to three weeks.

Stability is another advantage. Avobenzone, the only other chemical-based ingredient in the U.S. that filters UVA light, is known to break down quickly in the sun. "BEMT is significantly more stable," said Andrews.

Environmental Considerations

While BEMT offers benefits for human skin, its environmental impact remains under study. Scientists have shown that some sunscreen ingredients can damage coral reefs, leading to bans on oxybenzone and octinoxate in Hawaii and parts of Florida. It is estimated that about 25% of sunscreen washes off while swimming.

The European Union’s environmental agency has found "limited evidence of environmental toxicity" with BEMT, but longer-term research is needed. The U.S. government does not currently classify the environmental impact of sunscreens, and terms like "reef safe" have no standard definition.

Why it matters

The introduction of BEMT marks a significant shift in U.S. sunscreen regulation, which treats sunscreens as over-the-counter drugs rather than cosmetics. This distinction has historically made the American approval process longer and more demanding than in Europe, where BEMT has been used since 2000. For consumers, the new ingredient provides a viable alternative to mineral sunscreens, potentially increasing compliance with sun protection recommendations. Dermatologists continue to advise reapplying sunscreen every two hours and using other protective measures like clothing and shade.

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Sources

• medpagetoday.com: First New Sunscreen Type in 25 Years Hits U.S. Store Shelves | MedPage Today
• today.com: First New Sunscreen Type in 25 Years Hits US Store Shelves
• iheart.com: ♫ B 100 | Today's Hit Music
• thestar.com: The first new sunscreen type in 25 years has arrived on US store shelves
• orovillemr.com: First new sunscreen type in 25 years has arrived on US store shelves
• breitbart.com: The first new sunscreen type in 25 years has arrived on US store shelves - Breitbart

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.