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New Sunscreen Ingredient Fights Aging, Offers Clear Protection
14 Oct
Summary
- A new FDA-approved sunscreen chemical offers broad-spectrum protection.
- Bemotrizinol provides UVA/UVB defense without white streaking.
- This ingredient shows minimal skin absorption, unlike older chemicals.
For the first time in over 25 years, the U.S. market has a new sunscreen chemical: bemotrizinol (BEMT). Approved by the FDA in June, BEMT provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, a dual defense previously requiring multiple ingredients.
Unlike mineral sunscreens that can leave white streaks, BEMT offers cosmetic elegance with minimal skin absorption. Decades of safety data show this ingredient is too large to penetrate the skin significantly, addressing concerns that led to the recent FDA review of older chemicals.
BEMT also boasts better stability in sunlight compared to older UVA-filtering chemicals like avobenzone. While generally recognized as safe and effective, research into its environmental impact on coral reefs is ongoing. Dermatologists emphasize that sunscreen remains one part of a comprehensive sun protection strategy, alongside shade, clothing, and hats.
