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Bemotrizinol: New FDA-Approved Sunscreen Ingredient

July 20, 2026

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You may not have heard of bemotrizinol (BEMT), but soon it may become one of the most important things you put on your skin.

BEMT was recently approved by the FDA as an active ingredient in sunscreen—the first approval of its kind in over 20 years.

"Bemotrizinol has a long history of use in Europe and Asia," says Columbia dermatologist Andrew Truong, MD. "Now, people in the U.S. will have more ways to protect their skin."

What is bemotrizinol?

Bemotrizinol is a compound used in some chemical sunscreens that absorbs the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays before they can damage the skin. Similar ingredients like avobenzone are already FDA-approved and have been widely used in chemical sunscreens for decades.

Is bemotrizinol safe?

Yes, bemotrizinol is safe and offers better protection than other FDA-approved chemical sunscreen ingredients.

What are the benefits of bemotrizinol?

Some people prefer chemical sunscreens over mineral sunscreens because mineral sunscreens create a white reflective barrier that leaves visible residue on the skin. However, many chemical sunscreen compounds get absorbed into the bloodstream more easily, and researchers don't yet know how this can affect our health. These ingredients may also fail to offer broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

BEMT offers several advantages:

  • It's made of larger molecules, which can't easily pass through the skin into the blood
  • It blocks both UVA and UVB rays
  • It doesn't break down as quickly when exposed to light, providing longer-lasting protection
  • It tends to be gentler on skin

How often can I use sunscreens with bemotrizinol?

Sunscreens with BEMT are safe for daily, long-term use for adults and children over six months old.

Because repeated exposure can cause skin cancer, Dr. Truong says that everyone should use sunscreen every day, no matter what kind, and no matter the weather (UV rays can penetrate clouds).

"The benefits of other chemical sunscreens still far outweigh the potential health risks of ingredient absorption. The best sunscreen is the one you'll actually use, and BEMT now gives people more options."

Andrew Truong, MD, is an adult and pediatric dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia.

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