FDA allows popular sunscreen ingredient long used in Europe and Asia
NBC News • • business
Key Points:
- The FDA has expanded its approved sunscreen ingredients to include bemotrizinol, a chemical compound long used in Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia.
- This marks the first new sunscreen ingredient approval by the FDA in over 20 years, addressing a significant gap in available UV filters in the U.S. market.
- Bemotrizinol is a broad-spectrum UV filter that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, offering better protection against sun damage and skin cancer compared to many current chemical filters.
- Unlike other chemical sunscreens that degrade in sunlight and require frequent reapplication, bemotrizinol is more stable and has low absorption into the body, reducing concerns about systemic exposure.
- The Environmental Working Group praised the FDA's decision, highlighting bemotrizinol's enhanced protection against UVA rays, which are associated with skin aging and cancer risk.