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The US Food and Drug Administration has approved bemotrizinol for US sunscreen use
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This broad spectrum filter does not break down easily and shows little absorption in the body
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Products containing the new ingredient are expected to hit U.S. retail shelves by the end of summer
WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2026 (NewsDay News) – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was approved bemotrizinol (BEMT) for use in sunscreen products.
Bemotrizinol is a chemical filter that absorbs both UVA and UVB radiation, the two main types of UV rays that damage the skin and increase the risk of cancer.
It is the first ingredient to be approved in the US since 1990. It has been used safely overseas for decades.
FDA final order states that new sunscreens containing bemotrizinol may come in the form of oils, lotions, creams, gels, oils, pastes, ointments, sticks, or sprays (if certain spray requirements are met).
Unlike many chemical sunscreens on the shelf, bemotrizinol is very clear, meaning it breaks down much more slowly when exposed to strong sunlight. This means that protection can last longer.
BEMT is also less likely to be absorbed into the body. While some of the older chemical filters used in US sunscreens enter the bloodstream at levels that concern regulators, BEMT remains mostly at the surface of the skin. USA Today.
Because it is unlikely to cause irritation, the FDA has cleared it for use in children under 6 months of age.
“Bemotrizinol will be the first chemical UV filter to be recommended for use in infants due to minimal skin sensitivity.” Dr. Nisha Varadarajansaid a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York USA Today.
Health experts hailed the approval as an important tool in the ongoing effort to reduce preventable skin cancer.
“(The American Academy of Dermatology) believes this approval is an important public health step by expanding access to safe and effective sunscreens for consumers in the United States and helping to save more American lives from skin cancer,” said the AAD president. Dr. Murad Alam said USA Today.
Bemotrizinol has been used safely throughout Europe and other international markets for decades.
By simplifying the approval process within The CARES ActThe FDA aims to give Americans more options. The proposed order was originally issued on December 12, 2025, six months ago.
“The FDA’s rigorous standards ensure that consumers can be confident in the sunscreens and other over-the-counter products they use.”Dr. Karen Murrydirector of the Office of Illicit Drugs at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a news release.
“Now, through the best available science and an updated regulatory framework, we can work with companies to bring innovative products to market more efficiently than ever before,” he said.
Manufacturers will be allowed to start including bemotrizinol in their formulations from August 9.
It is expected to launch in the US market only under the brand name Parsol Sipar this summer, according to USA Today. After 18 months, other manufacturers can market products with new ingredients.
More information
The US Food and Drug Administration has more information protect your skin from the sun.
Sources: US Food and Drug Administration, June 9, 2026; USA TodayJune 9, 2026
What does this mean for you?
From late summer, look on sunscreen labels for bemotrizinol or BEMT.
