6 Things Dermatologists Want You to Know About Bemotrizinol, the New Sunscreen Ingredient
U.S. sunscreens are finally catching up with the rest of the world. Bemotrizinol (BEMT), a superior broad-spectrum ingredient that was available in Europe and Asia for decades, has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).1
Tons of questions have come up since the approval, so we spoke with dermatologists to get some answers. Here’s what you need to know about bemotrizinol and the changes coming to your sun protection products.
1. What makes bemotrizinol so much better than anything we currently have in the U.S.?
Bemotrizinol protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays lead to skin aging and skin cancer, while UVB rays cause sunburns and skin cancer.2
This ingredient also offers low-level skin absorption and dissolves in oil, not water, according to Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine. Since it dissolves in oil, manufacturers can easily add it to a variety of products, including creams, sprays, and lotions, without it feeling greasy or heavy. It’s also less irritating for people with sensitive skin.3
2. Why is “low skin absorption” a good thing?
Research has shown that some sunscreen ingredients, including avobenzone, can get absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream. More research is needed to confirm its effects on the body, but some people may prefer bemotrizinol because it is not readily absorbed through the skin.4
“That said, it is important to remember that the benefits of regular sunscreen use outweigh theoretical concerns regarding absorption, and consumers should continue to use sunscreen regularly as part of a comprehensive sun protection strategy,” Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine, told Verywell in an email.
3. Now that bemotrizinol is approved in the U.S., will retailers stop changing the ingredients in imported Asian sunscreens?
Before FDA approval, imported sunscreens were not allowed to contain bemotrizinol, also called Tinosorb S, as an active ingredient.
Bemotrizinol is not the only UV filter available in other countries, so manufacturers of some imported sunscreens might still need to adjust their formulations to comply with FDA regulations, Garshick said.
4. Are bemotrizinol sunscreens reef-safe?
Many sunscreens are labeled “reef-friendly” or “reef-safe,” but it is not clear exactly what bemotrizinol does to aquatic habitats. In addition, “reef-safe” is not a standardized term, so you should interpret this with caution on sunscreen labels, Garshick said.
“Current evidence regarding bemotrizinol’s effects on marine environments is still evolving, though current data suggest that it doesn’t harm or bleach coral reefs,” she added.
5. Do bemotrizinol sunscreens leave a white cast like other sunscreens?
Sunscreens made with zinc oxide often leave a white cast on the skin, but bemotrizinol-based sunscreens typically don’t have the same effect.
“Bemotrizinol is an organic chemical filter, not a mineral filter like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, so it absorbs UV light rather than sitting visibly on top of the skin. That makes it easier to formulate into lightweight, cosmetically elegant sunscreens without a chalky white cast,” Gohara said.
6. How soon will this be a common ingredient in cost-effective sunscreens, not just luxury products?
Sunscreens sold in the U.S. can include bemotrizinol starting on Aug. 9, 2026.5
It may take months, if not years, for this to start showing up in more affordable products, Gohara said.
“Manufacturers need time to reformulate products, conduct testing, scale production, and update regulatory filings,” she added. “As these processes move forward, consumers will likely begin seeing bemotrizinol appear in a broader range of sunscreens across different price points.”
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
