First New Sunscreen Ingredient in 25 Years Reaches U.S. Shelves After FDA Approval of Bemotrizinol
The first sunscreens containing bemotrizinol — often shortened to BEMT — began reaching U.S. store shelves this week, the Associated Press reported on October 14, giving American shoppers a new sunscreen active ingredient for the first time in more than 25 years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the ingredient in June, and the first products on shelves include Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer SPF 70 and formulas from other manufacturers.
Bemotrizinol has been used for decades in Europe, Australia and parts of Asia. Dermatologists told the AP that it fills an important gap in the U.S. market: it offers broad protection like the most established sunscreen ingredients, but without cosmetic downsides such as white streaking.
To be effective, a sunscreen must block both forms of ultraviolet light that damage skin — UVB rays, which cause most sunburn, and UVA rays, which pose the greatest risk of skin cancer and wrinkles. Products that block both can be labeled as offering broad-spectrum protection; those that do not must carry an FDA warning label. According to the AP, BEMT is the first chemical-based sunscreen ingredient in the U.S. that provides this dual protection on its own; previously, manufacturers had to mix multiple ingredients to cover both UVA and UVB.
On safety, BEMT has decades of data behind it, including studies showing minimal absorption into the skin — absorption having been a concern with some older sun-blocking chemicals. Dr. Jennifer Stein, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health, told the AP: "It's not a brand-new ingredient that you're going to be the first person to try."
David Andrews, chief science officer of the Environmental Working Group, told the AP the ingredient provides a solution for what is currently a big gap in strong UVA protection in U.S. sunscreens.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 防晒霜涂在背部：普通光线下几乎看不见（左），在紫外光线下清晰显形（右）· Andrew Steele 摄，CC0（维基共享资源）
