FDA approves first new sunscreen ingredient in more than 25 years
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved bemotrizinol, or BEMT, as a new sunscreen ingredient this week—the first approval in more than 25 years. Bemotrizinol has been used safely in Europe and Asia for decades, protecting against both ultraviolet A and B rays. A key advantage: it doesn't absorb easily into the skin like some older chemical filters do, and it won't break down quickly in the sun. The ingredient took 20 years to get FDA approval because sunscreens are regulated as drugs in the U.S., requiring costly and lengthy testing, unlike Europe where they're treated as cosmetics. Medical experts including dermatologists are celebrating the approval, saying it fills an important gap—most current American sunscreens excel at blocking ultraviolet B rays that cause sunburns but fall short on ultraviolet A protection, which drives skin cancer and premature aging. The first product will launch under the brand Parsol Shield later this year.
Key facts
- Bemotrizinol was approved by the FDA on June 9, 2026, marking the first new sunscreen ingredient approval in more than 25 years
- The ingredient has been safely used in Europe and Asia since the 1990s and early 2000s
- Bemotrizinol protects against both UVA and UVB rays, while most existing U.S. sunscreens only excel at blocking UVB rays
- The molecule is large enough that it does not easily absorb through skin, unlike some older chemical filters such as avobenzone
- Bemotrizinol will initially be sold under the brand name Parsol Shield by Dutch manufacturer DSM Nutritional Products, launching later in 2026
- The FDA approval process from initial proposal to final order took approximately 7 months, but the overall application history spans 20+ years
- Bemotrizinol is safe for use by adults and children 6 months and older at concentrations up to 6 percent in sunscreen formulas
- U.S. sunscreens are regulated as over-the-counter drugs requiring rigorous testing, unlike Europe where they are classified as cosmetics
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Consumer advocacy groups and left-leaning outlets frame this as a major victory for public health and consumer protection after decades of regulatory delays. They highlight how Americans have been left behind with outdated sunscreen technology while Europe progressed, and emphasize that the ingredient meets rigorous safety standards with decades of international use. Environmental Working Group sources stress this is "a win that has been a long time coming."
Right-leaning coverage: Libertarian and right-leaning outlets like Reason magazine and the Independent Institute use the approval to critique FDA regulatory overreach and bureaucratic delays. They point out that European regulators approved bemotrizinol in 1999, yet the U.S. took until 2026—highlighting that 25+ years of regulatory delay harmed consumers. Some frame the approval as demonstrating the need for regulatory modernization, though they note the streamlined process still took six years even after Congressional reform.
Limits of this briefing
Most coverage celebrates the approval from a public health perspective, though some sources highlight that the FDA still significantly lags Europe in available ingredients. The 18-month exclusivity period for Parsol Shield also raises questions about market competition that some sources mention but don't deeply explore.
Sources
- Environmental Working Group: In major win for U.S. consumers, FDA approves first new sunscreen ingredient in 25 years Left
- CNN: FDA approves new sunscreen ingredient used for years in Europe and Asia Centre
- NPR: 4 things to know about the new sunscreen ingredient the FDA approved Centre
- Reason Magazine: The FDA finally approved a new sunscreen ingredient. It only took over 25 years. Right
- Independent Institute: FDA Allows New Sunscreen, but Consumers Are Still Being Burned by Cronyism Right