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Bemotrizinol Sunscreen Arrives in US After 25 Years: What Makes It Different?
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CNBC TV18•15-10-2026, 12:00
Bemotrizinol Sunscreen Arrives in US After 25 Years: What Makes It Different?
- •The US Food and Drug Administration approved Bemotrizinol in June, marking the first new sunscreen chemical in the US in over 25 years.
- •Bemotrizinol provides dual protection against both UVA and UVB rays in a single chemical-based ingredient without causing white streaking.
- •Studies show the molecule is too large to be significantly absorbed into the bloodstream, avoiding the safety concerns associated with older chemicals like oxybenzone.
- •Unlike avobenzone, Bemotrizinol is significantly more stable and does not quickly break down when exposed to sunlight.
- •Dermatologists note that while Bemotrizinol is a great new option, sunscreen is only one part of an overall sun-protection plan that includes shade and protective clothing.
Key Questions Answered
Bemotrizinol is a chemical-based sunscreen ingredient that provides dual protection against both UVA and UVB rays, long used in Europe and other regions before being approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in June.
Unlike mineral-based sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which can cause white streaking and discoloration on darker skin, bemotrizinol offers strong broad protection without those cosmetic downsides.
Bemotrizinol features molecules that are too large to easily penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, resulting in nearly undetectable absorption levels in studies, unlike older ingredients such as oxybenzone.
