Sunscreen

Key Takeaways<ul><li>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing bemotrizinol, a sunscreen ingredient used widely overseas</li><li>The ingredient protects against both UVA and UVB rays</li><li>Public comments are open before a final decision is made</li></ul>FRIDAY, Dec. 12, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Americans may soon have access to a new sunscreen ingredient already used around the world.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Dec. 11 that it is reviewing a proposal to allow bemotrizinol in <a href="/conditions/sunscreen" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sunscreens</a> sold in the United States.The ingredient is already approved and widely used in Europe, Australia and parts of Asia.Bemotrizinol offers broad protection against both UVA and UVB rays, which are known to damage skin and raise cancer risk. The ingredient "has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body, and rarely causes skin irritation," an FDA news release said.Right now, the FDA tightly regulates sunscreen ingredients through a process that determines whether they are “generally recognized as safe and effective,” known as the GRASE framework.Any new active ingredient must go through a detailed safety and effectiveness review before it can be added to products sold in the U.S.The request to add bemotrizinol was submitted by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dsm-firmenich.com/en/businesses/health-nutrition-care/products.html">DSM Nutritional Products LLC</a>, a European company based in Switzerland and the Netherlands.The FDA has opened the proposal for public comment and will now evaluate the ingredient before deciding whether to approve it for use in U.S. sunscreens.“Bemotrizinol would be a welcome addition to the current array of effective sunscreen active ingredients already available to American consumers” <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/cder-offices-and-divisions/office-nonprescription-drugs">Dr. Karen Murry</a>, acting director of the FDA’s Office of Nonprescription Drugs, said.Health experts say better sunscreen options are badly needed. Most skin cancers are caused by too much ultraviolet radiation, whether from the sun, tanning beds or sun lamps.Protective clothing, hats, sunglasses and shade all help limit UV exposure, but sunscreen remains a key line of defense.Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays and turning them into heat, while mineral sunscreens, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, sit on top of the skin and block rays from reaching it.More informationSkin Software has more on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.skin.software/ingredients/bemotrizinol">bemotrizinol</a>.SOURCE: CNN, Dec. 11, 2025What This Means For You If approved, bemotrizinol would expand the limited list of sunscreen ingredients currently available in the U.S.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing bemotrizinol, a sunscreen ingredient used widely overseas

New Sunscreen Ingredient Could Soon Be Allowed in the U.S.

In this episode of Derms and Conditions, host James Q. Del Rosso, DO, welcomes Patti Farris, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University, for a timely conversation on photoprotection and sunscreen. As new concerns surface among patients, they provide an up-to-date perspective on UV exposure, formulation science, and patient counseling.Dr Farris explains the critical role of UVA radiation, which penetrates deeper into the dermis than UVB and is a major driver of photoaging and skin cancer risk. Unlike UVB, UVA is harder to block because many chemical filters only partially cover this spectrum. She also reviews the controversies surrounding oxybenzone, discussing both endocrine disruption concerns and its debated link to coral reef bleaching, emphasizing the gap between laboratory studies and real-world relevance.The discussion then turns to mineral sunscreens, which have gained popularity amid growing social media skepticism about chemical filters. While they provide strong UVA protection, cosmetic acceptability remains a significant challenge, especially for patients with skin of color due to the persistent issue of white cast. Newer innovations, including the addition of antioxidants, further expand protection by addressing visible light–induced damage. They highlight one example of an advanced formulation that pairs mineral filters with vitamin E to boost UVA defense and improve tolerability across all Fitzpatrick skin types.Finally, they reflect on generational differences in patient counseling. While older patients may prioritize cancer prevention, younger patients often respond more to messaging about photoaging and skin preservation, making it vital to tailor communication strategies.Tune in to the full episode to hear Dr Farris and Dr Del Rosso explore how dermatologists can navigate evolving sunscreen science, address patient concerns with confidence, and make practical recommendations that resonate across age groups and skin types.

Derms and Conditions Podcast

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New Sunscreen Ingredient Could Soon Be Allowed in the U.S.