FDA Approves Long-Awaited Sunscreen Chemical

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved bemotrizinol, a sunscreen ingredient that has been in use globally for approximately two decades. This decision, made on June 9, 2026, aims to revitalize American trust in sunscreen products, which has been faltering due to concerns about ingredients and the perceived health benefits of sun exposure.

Bemotrizinol, also known as BEMT, is lauded for its ability to create sheerer and lighter sunscreen formulations. It also offers enhanced protection against a wider spectrum of ultraviolet rays. Health and environmental advocates, alongside industry stakeholders, have long lobbied for its approval, believing it will enable companies to reformulate products that better meet consumer demands and compete with international standards.

The FDA's approval places bemotrizinol on the Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective (GRASE) list, alongside zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. This classification is crucial in the U.S., where new sunscreen chemicals undergo rigorous testing as over-the-counter drugs, a process that contributed to bemotrizinol's nearly twenty-year review period. The ingredient is expected to be available in U.S. sunscreens by autumn 2026.

While this approval enhances options, concerns persist regarding other sunscreen chemicals lacking definitive safety data. The FDA previously indicated insufficient data for 12 commonly used chemicals in 2019. Some of these, including avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate, are still widely used despite associations with potential health or environmental issues. For instance, octinoxate has faced bans in Hawaii due to coral reef concerns.

Experts suggest bemotrizinol offers formulators greater flexibility, potentially reducing reliance on ingredients like avobenzone, which can degrade in sunlight and cause allergic reactions. This innovation is seen as a positive step, especially as skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the U.S., with 1 in 5 people developing it by age 70. The new ingredient is anticipated to foster more positive discussions and adoption of sun protection measures.