{"id":8749,"date":"2026-10-14T18:11:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T18:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=8749"},"modified":"2026-10-14T18:11:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T18:11:26","slug":"the-first-new-sunscreen-type-in-25-years-has-arrived-on-us-store-shelves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=8749","title":{"rendered":"The first new sunscreen type in 25 years has arrived on US store shelves"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A screenshot from Neutrogena’s website shows its new Ultra Sheer SPF 70 sunscreen.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 For the first time in more than a quarter-century, Americans have a new option when shopping for sunscreen: a skin-protecting chemical that\u2019s long been a go-to option in Europe and other parts of the world.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved bemotrizinol \u2014 sometimes called BEMT \u2014 in June. The first sunscreens containing it are now hitting U.S. store shelves, including formulas from Neutrogena and other manufacturers.<\/p>\n

Dermatologists say the chemical fills an important market gap by offering broad protection, like the most well-established sunscreen ingredients, but without their cosmetic downsides, including white streaking.<\/p>\n

BEMT has decades of safety data behind it, including studies showing it has minimal absorption into the skin. That\u2019s been a concern with some older sun-blocking chemicals.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a brand-new ingredient that you\u2019re going to be the first person to try,\u201d said Dr. Jennifer Stein, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know:<\/p>\n

New ingredient offers broad protection without streaks<\/strong><\/p>\n

To be effective, sunscreens must protect against both forms of ultraviolet light that can damage the skin \u2014 UVB rays, which cause most sunburn, and UVA rays that pose the greatest risk of skin cancer and wrinkles.<\/p>\n

Sunscreens that block both forms are labeled \u201cbroad spectrum protection.\u201d Those that don\u2019t must carry an FDA warning label.<\/p>\n

BEMT is the first chemical-based sunscreen in the U.S. that offers this dual protection. Previously, manufacturers had to mix multiple ingredients to protect against both UVA and UVB light.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis ingredient provides a solution for what is currently a big gap with respect to providing strong UVA protection,\u201d said David Andrews, chief science officer of the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that advocates for higher sunscreen standards.<\/p>\n

A different class of sunscreens, using minerals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, has long been shown to offer strong protection against both forms of ultraviolet light. These mineral-based formulas work by physically blocking harmful rays from the skin.<\/p>\n

But some people \u2014 particularly those with darker complexions \u2014 tend to avoid them because they cause white streaking and discoloration. In other cases, people don\u2019t like their texture or consistency.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are good sunscreens,\u201d Stein said. \u201cBut for people who aren\u2019t so inclined to use them \u2014 maybe they don\u2019t like how it feels on their skin \u2014 this is a nice option.\u201d<\/p>\n

There’s less skin penetration with the new formula<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fact that chemical-based sunscreens are absorbed into the skin means they have to be carefully studied to make sure they aren’t building up in the body at unsafe levels.<\/p>\n

Last month, the FDA revoked approval of an older chemical ingredient, oxybenzone, after determining it was \u201cabsorbed through the skin to a greater extent than previously understood.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not a problem with BEMT.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a molecule that\u2019s too big to really penetrate through the skin and get absorbed into the bloodstream,\u201d Stein said. \u201cThe older chemical sunscreens had small molecules.\u201d<\/p>\n

As part of its safety review, the FDA reviewed studies of BEMT in more than 500 patients conducted by Dutch manufacturer DSM Nutritional Products. Levels of the chemical absorbed into the skin were nearly undetectable, the studies found.<\/p>\n

Agency reviewers said research in people who used the sunscreen daily for up to three weeks showed that BEMT \u201cdid not cause irritation\u201d or allergic reactions. As a result, the FDA designated the ingredient as \u201cgenerally recognized as safe and effective,\u201d alongside the older mineral ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.<\/p>\n

More than a dozen other ingredients are currently used in U.S. sunscreens, but the FDA has said they will require additional evidence to support their safety and effectiveness. The FDA review is part of an ongoing effort to overhaul U.S. sunscreen ingredients that kicked off in 2019.<\/p>\n

More evidence is needed about the impact on coral reefs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scientists have shown that some sunscreen ingredients can trigger bleaching and damage coral reefs. That’s led to bans on two chemical ingredients \u2014 oxybenzone, the ingredient recently targeted by the FDA, and octinoxate \u2014 in Hawaii and parts of Florida. It’s estimated about 25% of the sunscreen people apply to their skin washes off while swimming or wading in the ocean.<\/p>\n

The U.S. government doesn’t classify the environmental impact of sunscreens, and marketing claims like \u201creef safe\u201d or \u201creef friendly\u201d have no standard definition or requirements. The European Union’s environmental agency has found \u201climited evidence of environmental toxicity\u201d with BEMT, but longer-term research is needed.<\/p>\n

Mineral ingredients like zinc oxide are generally considered safer for the environment, although some experts recommend staying away from so-called nano formulations. Those products are made with tiny particles that are more likely to be inhaled or absorbed by marine organisms.<\/p>\n

Older chemicals were often unstable<\/strong><\/p>\n

Experts say BEMT has one other key advantage, in that it doesn\u2019t quickly break down in the sun. That\u2019s been a particular issue for avobenzone, the only other chemical-based ingredient that filters UVA light.<\/p>\n

\u201cAvobenzone has been known to be particularly unstable on its own, and a lot of work and reformulation efforts have gone into trying to find ways to stabilize it,\u201d said Andrews. \u201cBEMT is significantly more stable.\u201d<\/p>\n

As with all sunscreens, dermatologists say it\u2019s important to reapply every few hours \u2014 more frequently if you\u2019re swimming or sweating a lot.<\/p>\n

Also, people shouldn\u2019t rely on sunscreen alone when spending time outside, Stein said. Taking breaks in the shade, wearing a hat and sun-protective clothing are all important protections.<\/p>\n

\u201cSunscreen is just one part of an overall sun-protection plan,\u201d Stein said. \u201cClothing is even better.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A screenshot from Neutrogena’s website shows its new Ultra Sheer SPF 70 sunscreen. WASHINGTON \u2014 For the first time in more than a quarter-century, Americans have a new option when shopping for sunscreen: a skin-protecting chemical that\u2019s long been a go-to option in Europe and other parts of the world. The U.S. Food and Drug…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8750,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_2277560469115098_106292521332774":"","twitter_aToxNzczMzI3Njk4OTg4ODUxMjAxOw==_1773327698988851200":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_templately_pack_id":"","_templately_imported_at":"","_templately_source":"","_templately_import_session_id":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-korea","category-trending-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t