4 things to know about the new sunscreen ingredient the FDA approved
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved bemotrizinol, a chemical UV filter previously used in Europe and Asia, marking the first new sunscreen ingredient in nearly three decades. The ingredient provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, is photo‑stable, and has a well‑documented safety profile with limited skin absorption. Its approval followed extensive testing and a multi‑year, multi‑million‑dollar effort by the manufacturer to meet U.S. regulatory requirements.
- ▪Bemotrizinol blocks both UVA and UVB rays and remains effective longer than avobenzone, which can degrade under sunlight.
- ▪The ingredient has been used in European and Asian sunscreens for decades, but U.S. approval took about 20 years and cost at least $18 million.
- ▪Safety studies show bemotrizinol does not cause skin irritation, reproductive harm, or significant systemic absorption.
- ▪Sunscreens in the U.S. are regulated as over‑the‑counter drugs, requiring rigorous safety and efficacy testing before new ingredients can be approved.
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Health 4 things to know about the new sunscreen ingredient the FDA approved June 13, 20268:00 AM ET Maria Godoy A sunscreen ingredient used in Europe and Asia that blocks UVA and UVB rays has been approved for use in the U.S. mihailomilovanovic/iStockphoto/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption mihailomilovanovic/iStockphoto/Getty Images For the first time in nearly three decades, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new chemical UV filter for use in sunscreens sold in the U.S. And that has many dermatologists cheering. "This is a very big deal," says Dr. Heather Rogers, a dermatologist in Seattle and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Shots - Health News Some TikTok influencers are maligning sunscreen.
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