FDA Approves Bemotrizinol: A Revolutionary Sunscreen Ingredient After 27 Years

The American sunscreen market is set for its most significant transformation in decades. On June 9, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the green light to bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen active ingredient allowed for over-the-counter consumer use in the United States since 1999. Manufacturers are now authorized to incorporate it into their formulas starting from August 9, 2026.

Also known as BEMT, or under the trade names Tinosorb® S (by BASF) and Parsol® Shield (by DSM-Firmenich), bemotrizinol has been safely used in Europe, Asia, and Australia for over 27 years. It serves as a broad-spectrum UV filter, effectively blocking both UVA and UVB rays—the two primary types of ultraviolet radiation that cause skin aging, immune suppression, and skin cancer.

What sets bemotrizinol apart is its high photostability—it degrades much slower under intense sunlight compared to many existing chemical filters. Unlike zinc oxide, it doesn’t leave a white cast on the skin, and it’s less likely to be absorbed through the skin compared to many traditional chemical sunscreens. The FDA has awarded bemotrizinol the “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE) status. The first U.S. consumer products containing this ingredient are anticipated to hit the shelves by fall 2026.

Skin cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S., with over 200,000 cases of melanoma projected for 2026 alone, according to the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Source: MD Anderson Cancer Center – Bemotrizinol 101, July 2, 2026