FDA-Approved UV Filter Debuts in US Market After 27 Years
In a significant milestone for American sun care, the renowned Australian skincare brand Ultra Violette, co-founded by Ava Matthews and Bec Jefferd, has introduced the Unblock Screen™ SPF 50 Breakout-Friendly SKINSCREEN™. This marks the first instance of a US brand offering a sunscreen containing Bemotrizinol (BEMT), the first new sunscreen UV filter approved by the FDA since 1999.
The FDA included BEMT in its over-the-counter sunscreen monograph in June 2026, thereby ending a 27-year regulatory hiatus that had left US formulators lagging behind global markets. Ultra Violette was swift to respond, as it had already been incorporating BEMT into its Australian and international product range for nearly a decade.
The formula is specifically tailored for oily, acne-prone, and reactive skin. It combines BEMT with zinc oxide, sebum-regulating Bix’Activ, and hydrating Pentavitin to provide moisture that the brand claims lasts up to 72 hours. This is all presented in a whipped, soft-matte texture that eliminates the white cast. The touchless, airless jar packaging ensures hygienic application for those with active breakouts. Unblock Screen™ SPF 50 is now available online at ultraviolettespf.com and Sephora.com, with in-store availability at Sephora launching on October 2, 2026, at an RRP of $40.