US FDA Approves Bemotrizinol for SPF, Brands Launch New Products
This marks the first new active ingredient approval for US over-the-counter sunscreens since 1999, permitting concentrations up to 6% of Bemotrizinol.
US FDA Clears Bemotrizinol for SPF
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bemotrizinol (BEMT) for use in over-the-counter sunscreens within the United States. This marks the first new active ingredient to receive FDA clearance for sun protection since 1999. The approval, granted earlier this year, permits sunscreens to contain BEMT at concentrations up to 6%.
While BEMT has been utilized in formulations across the EU, Asia, and other markets for many years, its introduction to the US market in 2026 is prompting beauty brands to release new sun care products. Among the first to launch are La Roche-Posay, Neutrogena, and Ultra Violette.
DSM-Firmenich Supplies New Active
DSM-Firmenich, a nutrition, health, and beauty chemicals company, holds the exclusive rights to produce BEMT in the US under the brand name Parsol Shield. Products formulated with BEMT offer distinct advantages, as the ingredient applies clearly to the skin, unlike some mineral SPF formulations.
According to the company, BEMT exhibits minimal absorption, making it well-suited for consumers with sensitive or acne-prone skin. It is also formulated to protect skin from both long-term damage and aging effects from UVA rays, as well as surface sunburn caused by UVB radiation.
La Roche-Posay, an L'Oréal-owned brand, has introduced its Anthelios UV Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen, its first Anthelios product to include BEMT. This new launch reportedly features an amplified Cell-Ox Shield complex for 16-hour protection.
Market Impact and Global Precedent
The FDA's approval of Bemotrizinol is expected to reshape the US sunscreen market, allowing for more advanced formulations previously available only in international markets. This development could address growing consumer demand for sunscreens that offer broad-spectrum protection without leaving a white cast.
For Asian beauty brands and ingredient suppliers, this US market opening creates new commercial avenues. Companies that have been incorporating BEMT into their products for years in Asia may now explore opportunities to enter the US market or supply their BEMT-based formulations to US partners. This shift provides an opportunity to apply existing formulation expertise in a newly accessible, significant market.
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