FDA Approves First New Sunscreen Ingredient in Decades

Key Points:

• The US FDA has approved bemotrizinol (BEMT), a new chemical for sunscreen formulations, marking the first such approval in over 25 years and promising improved protection against harmful UV rays.
• BEMT offers broad-spectrum protection by effectively blocking both UVA and UVB rays, with particular strength against UVA, which penetrates deeper into the skin and contributes to premature aging and some skin cancers.
• Unlike many current sunscreen ingredients, BEMT is photostable, meaning it does not break down quickly in sunlight, potentially providing longer-lasting protection and reducing the need for frequent reapplication.
• Safety studies have shown that BEMT is minimally absorbed into the bloodstream, does not cause cancer in animal tests, and has no harmful reproductive or developmental effects, leading to its classification as "generally recognized as safe and effective."
• Sunscreens containing BEMT, initially branded as Parsol Shield, are expected to be available soon in the US, with the ingredient becoming accessible to other manufacturers after 18 months.