FDA Greenlights Bemotrizinol: The First New Sunscreen Ingredient in Over Two Decades
In a significant public health triumph for American consumers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved bemotrizinol (BEMT) on June 9, 2026. This marks the first new sunscreen active ingredient cleared for use in the United States in over 25 years. The chemical compound, also known as Parsol Shield and produced by DSM Nutritional Products, has been safely utilized in Europe, Australia, and Asia since 2000.
Unlike many existing U.S. chemical sunscreen filters, bemotrizinol offers true broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It is highly photostable, meaning it won’t break down under direct sunlight, and leaves virtually no white cast on the skin. This is a significant advantage for people with darker skin tones. The FDA has cleared it for use by adults and children as young as 6 months old.
“For decades, Americans have used outdated sunscreen tech while the rest of the world moved forward,” said David Andrews, Chief Science Officer at the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Dermatologists have hailed the approval as a milestone, with Dr. Adam Friedman of GW School of Medicine calling it “a genuinely meaningful advance that many of us in dermatology have been waiting decades to see.”
Sunscreen manufacturers will be allowed to start incorporating bemotrizinol into their formulas starting August 9, 2026. There will be an 18-month exclusivity window for Parsol Shield before other brands can use the ingredient.
Source: U.S. News & World Report – FDA Approves First New Sunscreen Ingredient in Two Decades