News Brief: FDA Approves Bemotrizinol, a New Sunscreen Active Ingredient

Unlike many European countries, the United States regulates sunscreens as over-the-counter drugs rather than cosmetics, which means they go through much more testing before they can be sold to consumers.[1]

In June 2026 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added bemotrizinol, an ultraviolet (UV) filter, to the list of permitted active ingredients in sunscreen.[2] It is the first new sunscreen filter the agency has approved in over two decades.[3] Bemotrizinol products have been sold in Europe and Asia for many years. There are considerable data about their safety and efficacy.

There are two general types of sunscreen filters: chemical (such as avobenzene and oxybenzone) and physical (such as zinc and titanium oxide; also known as mineral filters). Both types of filters work by absorbing UV rays; physical filters also reflect the sun’s rays away from the skin.[4]

Bemotrizinol is a chemical filter.[5] Like other chemical filters, it protects against both UVA rays (the type that cause premature aging and wrinkles) and UVB rays (the type that cause sunburn), both of which can cause skin cancer.[6] However, bemotrizinol is significantly better at protecting against UVA rays than other available filters.[7]

Studies have shown that bemotrizinol is unlikely to cause reproductive harm or irritate skin, and it is also less readily absorbed into the bloodstream than other sunscreen filters.[8] The FDA says that bemotrizinol is considered to be generally safe and effective, meaning it is safe for adults and children older than 6 months to use.[9]

Sunscreens containing bemotrizinol as an active ingredient will likely become available for purchase in the United States later in 2026, offering consumers another choice.

Any sunscreen you choose should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and be labeled as broad spectrum (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays).[10] Be sure to apply it every time you go out in the sun and reapply at least every two hours (or more often if you are swimming or sweating).[11]
 

References

[1] Godoy M. 4 things to know about the new sunscreen ingredient the FDA approved. NPR. June 13, 2026. https://www.npr.org/2026/06/13/nx-s1-5856385/sunscreen-skin-protection-bemotrizinol. Accessed July 14, 2026.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Young L, Lewis T. U.S. gets a new sunscreen ingredient after 27 years—here’s how it works. Scientific American. June 9, 2026. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-new-fda-approved-ingredient-bemotrizinol-enhances-sunscreen-protection/. Accessed July 14, 2026.

[4] American Academy of Dermatology. Sunscreen FAQs. Updated February 11, 2025. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen. Accessed July 14, 2026.

[5] Godoy M. 4 things to know about the new sunscreen ingredient the FDA approved. NPR. June 13, 2026. https://www.npr.org/2026/06/13/nx-s1-5856385/sunscreen-skin-protection-bemotrizinol. Accessed July 14, 2026.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Young L, Lewis T. U.S. gets a new sunscreen ingredient after 27 years—here’s how it works. Scientific American. June 9, 2026. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-new-fda-approved-ingredient-bemotrizinol-enhances-sunscreen-protection/. Accessed July 14, 2026.

[8] Godoy M. 4 things to know about the new sunscreen ingredient the FDA approved. NPR. June 13, 2026. https://www.npr.org/2026/06/13/nx-s1-5856385/sunscreen-skin-protection-bemotrizinol. Accessed July 14, 2026.

[9] https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-expands-sunscreen-options-first-time-20-years

[10] https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen

[11] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sunscreen-and-your-morning-routine