FDA Approves Bemotrizinol (BEMT): The First New Sunscreen Filter in Over 20 Years

By Jane Yoo, MD, MPP, Board-Certified Dermatologist & Mohs Surgeon | Updated June 10, 2026

 

Key Takeaways

• On June 9, 2026, the FDA added bemotrizinol (BEMT) to the list of permitted sunscreen active ingredients, making it the first new active ingredient added to the over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen monograph since the late 1990s.
• Bemotrizinol provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, is highly photostable, and has low absorption through the skin.
• The FDA considers bemotrizinol generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for adults and children 6 months of age and older.
• Sunscreens containing BEMT could begin appearing on U.S. shelves as early as August 2026.

This is a genuinely historic day for sunscreen science and public health in the United States. I have been advocating for this approval for years, including lobbying Congress alongside the Skin Cancer Foundation, and the regulatory gap between the U.S. and the rest of the world has cost American consumers access to superior sun protection for decades.

What Is Bemotrizinol (BEMT)?

Bemotrizinol, also known as bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, BEMT, PARSOL® Shield, or Tinosorb S, is a next-generation broad-spectrum UV filter. That means it helps protect against both UVA and UVB radiation, the two types of ultraviolet light responsible for skin cancer, premature aging, and immune suppression.

BEMT was engineered in the late 1990s through a very intentional design process. Chemists created a large, highly stable molecule that remains on the skin’s surface while blocking both UVA and UVB radiation. It has absorption peaks at 310 nm for UVB and 340 nm for UVA, providing more comprehensive protection than many filters currently available in U.S. sunscreens.

Every year, more than five million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer, a disease that is largely preventable with consistent, effective sun protection. The expansion of available UV filters in the U.S. means consumers will finally have access to the kind of broad-spectrum, cosmetically elegant sunscreens that have driven higher compliance rates in other parts of the world.

FDA Approval of Bemotrizinol: What Happened on June 9, 2026?

According to the FDA’s press announcement, the agency officially added bemotrizinol to the list of permitted sunscreen active ingredients, calling it a significant milestone in its efforts to advance sunscreen innovation.

Key facts from the FDA’s announcement and final order OTC000039:

• First in decades: Bemotrizinol is the first new active ingredient added to the OTC sunscreen monograph, Monograph M020, since the late 1990s.
• The process: DSM Nutritional Products LLC submitted an OTC monograph order request to add bemotrizinol at concentrations up to 6 percent. The FDA issued a proposed order on December 12, 2025, accepted public comments through January 26, 2026, and finalized the action within seven months of the proposed order.
• A regulatory first: Bemotrizinol is the first new active ingredient added to an OTC monograph under the streamlined administrative order process established by the CARES Act.
• Safety determination: The FDA considers bemotrizinol GRASE, generally recognized as safe and effective, for use in sunscreens by adults and children 6 months of age and older. The agency noted that BEMT provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays and has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body.

Why Did It Take So Long for Bemotrizinol to Reach the U.S.?

Bemotrizinol has been used in sunscreens in Europe, Asia, and Australia since 1999, for over 25 years. The U.S. has historically had fewer UV filter options than any other major market, not because of safety concerns, but because of regulatory structure. Sunscreens are classified as OTC drugs in the U.S., not cosmetics, so the approval bar is much higher.

The practical consequence is that American consumers have been using older-generation sunscreen formulas, often less elegant, less photostable, and with inferior UVA protection, compared to what people in Europe, Korea, and Japan have had access to for decades.

Bemotrizinol vs. Avobenzone: Why Photostability Matters

Photostability is one of the most important reasons this approval matters. Many U.S. sunscreens rely on avobenzone for UVA protection, but avobenzone easily degrades in sunlight unless paired with stabilizing ingredients. A filter that breaks down in the sun gives you a false sense of protection exactly when you need it most.

BEMT, by contrast, holds up extremely well in sunlight. It is highly photostable on its own and degrades less quickly than current U.S.-approved sunscreen ingredients.

Is Bemotrizinol Safe?

The FDA considers bemotrizinol generally recognized as safe and effective for use in sunscreens by adults and children 6 months of age and older. Its safety profile is one of the reasons dermatologists and sunscreen researchers have watched this ingredient so closely.

What the Science Shows About Bemotrizinol Safety

• Minimal skin penetration, by design: BEMT has a molecular weight of 627.81 g/mol, which exceeds the 500 Dalton rule and indicates low potential for skin penetration. This is a safety feature engineered into the molecule itself, and the FDA’s review confirmed low levels of absorption through the skin into the body.
• Low irritation: BEMT rarely causes skin irritation, which is important for patients with sensitive skin or rosacea.
• No estrogenic activity: Unlike some other organic sunscreen actives, bemotrizinol shows no estrogenic effects in vitro. This is meaningful for patients concerned about systemic absorption, a topic that has generated significant consumer anxiety in recent years around existing chemical filters.
• Approved for ages 6 months and up: The FDA considers BEMT GRASE for adults and children 6 months of age and older.

What Bemotrizinol Means for Skin of Color

UVA protection is especially critical for patients with skin of color, who are often undercounted in sunscreen research but remain at risk for photoaging, hyperpigmentation, and melanoma. Many existing U.S. chemical UV filters have suboptimal UVA1 coverage. BEMT’s absorption profile addresses this gap.

Better-formulated, more cosmetically elegant sunscreens may also reduce the white-cast issue that drives non-compliance among patients with deeper skin tones. This is a public health issue, not just a cosmetic one.

When Will Bemotrizinol Sunscreens Be Available in the U.S.?

Sunscreens containing bemotrizinol may hit U.S. shelves as early as August 2026. This approval opens the door for more cosmetically elegant chemical filters of the kind that have been available in Korea, Japan, Australia, and Europe for decades.

Better formulas mean better adherence, which means better long-term protection.

Sunscreens From Abroad That Already Use Bemotrizinol

Many sunscreens sold internationally already use bemotrizinol, often listed as BEMT, Tinosorb S, or bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine on the ingredient label. These formulas have helped define the lighter, more elegant textures associated with many European, Korean, Japanese, and Australian sunscreens.

As BEMT becomes available in the U.S., American consumers may finally start to see formulas that feel lighter, layer better under makeup, provide stronger UVA coverage, and are easier to wear every day.

Why This FDA Sunscreen Approval Matters

For dermatologists, this is about more than one new sunscreen ingredient. It represents progress toward closing a long-standing sunscreen innovation gap in the United States.

Skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the country, and sunscreen only works when people are willing to use it consistently. More effective, more photostable, more cosmetically elegant sunscreens can improve adherence, especially for patients who have avoided sunscreen because of white cast, greasiness, irritation, or poor texture.

The approval of bemotrizinol is an important step toward better sun protection, better public health, and a more modern sunscreen market in the U.S.

Sunscreens From Abroad That Already Use BEMT

You don’t have to wait until U.S. formulas arrive to see what bemotrizinol can do. The filter, listed on international labels as Tinosorb S or by its INCI name, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, has been a workhorse in Korean, Japanese, and European sunscreens for over two decades. These are my top picks among internationally available formulas that already use it.

Dr. Yoo’s Top Picks

Sulwhasoo UV Daily Essential Sunscreen: A luxe Korean option that pairs BEMT-driven broad-spectrum protection with the brand’s signature botanical skincare base. Elegant, hydrating, and comfortable enough for daily wear under makeup, exactly the kind of formula that makes reapplication feel like skincare rather than a chore.

Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Gel: Shiseido’s Anessa line is the gold standard of Japanese sun protection, and the Skincare Gel version is remarkably lightweight for the level of protection it delivers. Its water- and sweat-resistant technology actually strengthens with heat and moisture, making it my pick for outdoor days and humid New York summers.

Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel: A cult-favorite Japanese drugstore formula for a reason. The watery gel texture disappears into skin with no white cast and no greasy after-feel, ideal for oily or combination skin, and for anyone who has “hated how sunscreen feels” their whole life.

ISDIN Fusion Water Magic SPF 30: A Spanish dermatology staple with an ultralight, water-phase texture that absorbs in seconds. It plays beautifully over moisturizer and under makeup, and it’s a formula I often suggest to patients who want a true “invisible” daily sunscreen.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid: One of the most advanced sunscreens in the world. It combines BEMT with Mexoryl 400 (MCE), the filter that extends protection into the ultra-long UVA1 range, wavelengths most U.S. sunscreens simply do not cover. If you want maximum UVA defense in a weightless fluid, this is it.

belif UV Protector Aqua Bomb Sun Serum: The sunscreen version of belif’s beloved Aqua Bomb moisturizer: a hydrating, serum-like texture that layers seamlessly into a Korean-style routine. A great choice for dry or dehydrated skin that wants sun protection and a moisture boost in one step.

More BEMT Formulas Worth Knowing

Beyond my top picks, these internationally sold sunscreens are also formulated with bemotrizinol (look for “bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine” on the ingredient list):

A note on labels: international brands reformulate often, and the same product name can carry different filter systems in different markets. Always confirm bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S / bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine) appears in the ingredient list of the specific version you’re buying.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bemotrizinol (BEMT)

What is bemotrizinol / BEMT?

Bemotrizinol, also called BEMT, Tinosorb S, or PARSOL Shield, is a synthetic, oil-soluble UV filter that absorbs both UVA and UVB radiation. It is a triazine-based molecule, highly photostable, and has been used in European, Australian, and Asian sunscreens since 2000.

The FDA approved it on June 9, 2026, making it the first new sunscreen active ingredient approved in the U.S. in over 25 years.

How is bemotrizinol different from other U.S. sunscreen ingredients?

Most chemical UV filters currently approved in the U.S. are either UVB-only, like octinoxate, octisalate, and homosalate, or UVA-only, like avobenzone.

BEMT is a true broad-spectrum filter with two absorption peaks:

• 310 nm, in the UVB range
• 340 nm, in the UVA1 range

This means it covers both UVA and UVB in a single molecule. It also has synergistic SPF-boosting effects when combined with other filters like bisoctrizole, making it exceptionally efficient for formulators trying to build high-SPF, lightweight products.

What does broad-spectrum mean, and why is BEMT better?

Broad-spectrum means a sunscreen protects against both:

• UVB rays, which cause sunburn
• UVA rays, which penetrate deeper, drive photoaging, suppress immunity, and contribute to melanoma

In the U.S., the most commonly used broad-spectrum chemical filter has been avobenzone, but avobenzone is photounstable. It degrades in sunlight, losing up to 36% of its UVA protection within an hour of sun exposure unless stabilized with other agents.

BEMT retains over 98% of its UV-absorbing capacity even after 50 minimal erythemal doses. That is not just better on paper. It means the protection you apply at 8 a.m. is still largely intact at noon.

Is bemotrizinol safe?

Yes. BEMT has one of the most robust safety profiles of any sunscreen active.

Key points:

• Low systemic absorption through skin, far lower than many currently approved U.S. filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone
• No estrogenic activity in vitro, unlike oxybenzone, which has demonstrated hormonal effects in some studies
• Over 20 years of real-world use in Europe, Australia, and Asia with no significant safety signals
• The FDA’s own scientific review confirmed it as GRASE, Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective, at concentrations up to 6%

Is bemotrizinol safe for kids?

Yes. BEMT is only the third sunscreen active ingredient approved by the FDA for use in children as young as 6 months old. The other two are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are mineral filters.

For parents who want chemical sunscreen options for young children, BEMT changes the calculus significantly.

How does bemotrizinol compare to avobenzone?

This is probably the most important clinical comparison for American consumers. Avobenzone is UVA-only and photounstable.

BEMT is:

• UVA and UVB protective, with one filter doing the work of two
• Highly photostable, with no significant degradation in sunlight
• Compatible with zinc oxide, unlike avobenzone, which degrades when combined with zinc
• Less likely to cause skin irritation or sensitization

The photostability difference alone is clinically significant. Many U.S. sunscreens that test well in the lab deliver meaningfully less UVA protection after real-world use because of avobenzone degradation.

Why has the U.S. been so far behind on sunscreen filters?

This is a regulatory issue, not a safety issue. The U.S. classifies sunscreens as OTC drugs, not cosmetics, which means any new active ingredient requires a full GRASE determination under the OTC monograph pathway. This process has taken decades and requires substantial clinical data submission.

Europe and most of Asia regulate sunscreen filters as cosmetic ingredients, allowing faster market access.

The SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act and PCPC advocacy, including lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, helped push the FDA to finally act on the backlog of new filter applications.

What about K-beauty and European sunscreens? Did they already have BEMT?

Yes. Korean and European sunscreens have used BEMT, marketed as Tinosorb S, since 2000. This is a big part of why Asian sunscreens, particularly Korean ones, have been so far ahead in texture, wearability, and UVA protection.

When skincare enthusiasts rave about how Korean sunscreens feel different from American ones, UV filter selection is a major reason.

BEMT in particular enables light, non-greasy, elegantly formulated products because it is highly soluble in cosmetic oils and plays well with other modern filters. American formulators have essentially been working with one hand tied behind their back.

Will bemotrizinol eliminate the white cast?

BEMT will not independently eliminate white cast, which is primarily caused by mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. But BEMT is significant here in two ways:

• It is an effective chemical filter, so it can reduce reliance on high concentrations of minerals that cause white cast.
• Unlike avobenzone, BEMT is compatible with zinc oxide.

That means formulators can now combine BEMT with zinc for superior broad-spectrum protection without losing photostability, while using lower concentrations of zinc to reduce white cast.

For people with deeper skin tones who have avoided mineral sunscreens because of the white-cast issue, this opens up formulation possibilities that did not exist before.

When can I actually buy sunscreen with bemotrizinol?

The FDA approved BEMT on June 9, 2026. However, products do not appear overnight. Brands still need to formulate, stability-test, run SPF and broad-spectrum performance testing, and comply with all OTC labeling requirements before going to market.

Realistically, the first U.S. products with bemotrizinol as a listed active ingredient will likely appear in late 2026 to early 2027, with broader availability in 2027.

In the meantime, products already formulated abroad with Tinosorb S, the same molecule, remain available via importers and online retailers.

What do I look for on the label?

On U.S. products, the active ingredients list will say bemotrizinol. You may also see PARSOL Shield referenced on packaging, which is the DSM-Firmenich trade name.

On imported Korean or European products, look for:

• Tinosorb S
• Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, the INCI name

About the Author

Jane Yoo, MD, MPP is a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and clinical assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She has actively lobbied Congress for the approval of new UV filters alongside the Skin Cancer Foundation. Her practice is located at 162 West 56th Street, New York, NY.

Questions about sun protection? Book an appointment or email info@janeyoomd.com.