A New Sunscreen Ingredient Is Coming to the U.S. | What to Know

Do you love to pick up sunscreen when traveling abroad? This news is for you! The U.S. hasn’t approved a new active sunscreen ingredient 20 years, and we have far fewer approved filters than other countries. That may soon change with bemotrizinol, a widely used filter in Europe and Asia that’s gaining attention here.

We asked Dermatologist Lori Ramirez about the new filter, including why it seems promising and how it may change her sunscreen guidance for patients.

What is bemotrizinol?

Bemotrizinol, also called BEMT, is a chemical sunscreen filter that helps protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays (the types responsible for skin aging and skin cancer). It’s new to the U.S., but has been used internationally for years, giving dermatologists a solid track record to look at.

Why dermatologists are paying attention

According to Dr. Ramirez, one of the biggest advantages comes down to how well it holds up in the sun.

“BEMT is photostable, meaning it doesn’t break down as easily in sunlight, giving you a longer-lasting result and photoprotection,” she explains.

Many current chemical sunscreens degrade when exposed to UV light, which means their effectiveness can decrease over time. A more stable filter could offer more reliable protection—especially during long days outdoors.

What about safety?

Sunscreen safety has become a growing concern for patients, particularly around how much of the product is absorbed into the skin.

Dr. Ramirez notes that bemotrizinol has low skin penetration, which may help address some of those concerns. “It lends itself to people who are concerned about absorption,” she says.

Its potential approval has been driven in part by this balance: effective protection with lower systemic absorption.

Good news for sensitive skin and eyes

If you’ve ever reacted to sunscreen, burning, eye stinging, or breaking out, you know how frustrating it can be to find one that works.

Dr. Ramirez is especially interested in how bemotrizinol could help those patients.

“I anticipate recommending it to patients with allergies to our current chemical sunscreens,” she says. “I’m excited to see how well these products work for patients who have sensitive skin.”

While mineral sunscreens (like zinc oxide) are often recommended for sensitive skin, they don’t work for everyone. This could offer another option.

Could it last longer on sunny days?

Another potential benefit: durability. “I’m hoping the decreased rate of sun degradation lends itself to being longer lasting for those direct sun days,” Dr. Ramirez adds.

That doesn’t mean you can skip reapplying, but it may mean more consistent protection between applications.

When will Americans see bemotrizinol sunscreen?

If all continues to go as planned, we might see new sunscreen products with BEMT on the U.S. market in the later half of 2026. If approved, bemotrizinol could expand the types of sunscreens available in the U.S., giving patients more choices—especially those who struggle with irritation.

Until then, the most important thing hasn’t changed:
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), apply it generously, and reapply every two hours when outdoors. Because the best sunscreen is still the one you’ll actually use, every day.