New sunscreen ingredient wins FDA approval after years of delay
CBS News • • business
Key Points:
- The FDA has approved bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen ingredient in over 25 years, which has been widely used in Europe and other regions, providing enhanced protection against ultraviolet rays with minimal skin irritation.
- Bemotrizinol, sold under the brand Parsol Shield by DSM Nutritional Products, will initially have an 18-month exclusivity period before other manufacturers can use it in their products.
- The ingredient offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays without the white residue typical of mineral-based sunscreens and is more stable under sunlight, ensuring longer-lasting protection.
- This approval follows a streamlined FDA review process authorized by Congress in 2020, addressing long-standing delays in updating sunscreen ingredients in the U.S. market.
- Health officials and experts highlight that bemotrizinol's approval modernizes U.S. sunscreen options, increasing competition and consumer confidence while aligning with global standards.