FDA Adds Bemotrizinol as a New Sunscreen Ingredient: What It Means

An Instagram post from Healio (@gohealio) says that after a long-awaited FDA decision, manufacturers can begin using a new sunscreen ingredient, bemotrizinol, in US sunscreens. That is accurate. Two things it leaves out: not every company can use it yet, and no product is guaranteed on shelves. This page looks at what FDA actually did, what it does not tell you, and what still protects your skin.

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What FDA did

FDA added bemotrizinol to the list of permitted over-the-counter sunscreen active ingredients. FDA announced it on June 9, 2026, and calls it the first new active ingredient added to the sunscreen monograph (FDA's rulebook for over-the-counter sunscreens) since the late 1990s.

The steps were:

• A company asked. DSM Nutritional Products LLC submitted a request to add bemotrizinol at concentrations up to 6 percent.
• A proposal came first. FDA issued a proposed order on December 12, 2025, and accepted public comments through January 26, 2026.
• The final order followed. FDA says it finalized the action within seven months of the proposal.

FDA says it considers bemotrizinol generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for use in sunscreens by adults and children 6 months of age and older. FDA also says it provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays and has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body.

The final order sets conditions. Bemotrizinol is allowed at concentrations up to 6 percent, in oil, lotion, cream, gel, butter, paste, ointment, stick and spray forms. Sprays must have no propellant, or keep any propellant isolated from the drug formulation, so propellant-based aerosol sunscreens are not covered by this order. The order also sets rules for combining it with other sunscreen ingredients.

FDA notes the ingredient has been marketed in sunscreens in Europe and many other countries for years.

What is new here

For the viral worry about existing products, see does sunscreen cause cancer?.

What this does not mean

It does not mean new products are guaranteed to be in stores right now. The final order took effect on August 9, 2026, the date its text gives (unless it was disputed under the law). It does not set a launch date, and companies still have to make and launch products. Check the ingredient list on the label if you are curious.

It does not mean every company can use it yet. The order says that, under the law, it authorizes only the requesting company, DSM Nutritional Products LLC, and its licensees, assignees or successors, to market products using these changes for 18 months. So other companies' products in the near term may depend on licensing from DSM. Healio's article says a product containing the ingredient was already for sale, with other brands expected "as early as September or October 2026." That product timing comes from Healio and industry sources, not from FDA.

It does not mean this filter is a better choice for you. FDA's announcement talks about the ingredient's protection and low absorption. It does not rank it above other permitted sunscreens. Some people may prefer a product for its feel or appearance, but that is a personal preference, not a health finding.

It does not replace the basics. Broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB was already a feature of a good sunscreen. A new ingredient is one more way to get there.

The sun-safety basics have not changed

The National Cancer Institute says exposure to UV radiation causes early aging of the skin and damage that can lead to skin cancer. Its advice includes limiting sun exposure, avoiding tanning beds, and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves and long pants.

FDA's guidance includes:

• Limit time in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Wear clothing that covers skin, such as long sleeves, pants, sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats.
• Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, regularly and as directed.
• Reapply at least every two hours, and more often when swimming or sweating.
• Remember that no sunscreen is waterproof. All sunscreens eventually wash off.

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests looking for three things: SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection, and water resistance.

Our guides to sun safety and sunscreen explain how to put these into everyday habits, and the skin self-exam page covers how to get to know your own skin.

Questions to bring to a pharmacist or dermatologist

This page is general education. If you have a skin condition, allergies, or questions about sunscreen for a baby or a child, a pharmacist, pediatrician or dermatologist can help. Any new or changing spot on the skin is worth having a clinician look at.

Sources

• https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd1QQ8CnPBd/
• https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-expands-sunscreen-options-first-time-20-years
• https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-expanding-sunscreen-active-ingredient-list
• https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/questions-and-answers-fdas-regulatory-actions-over-counter-sunscreen
• https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun
• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/10/2026-11578/amending-over-the-counter-monograph-m020-sunscreen-drug-products-for-over-the-counter-human-use-and
• https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/sunlight
• https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/choosing-right-sunscreen
• https://www.healio.com/news/dermatology/20260902/answering-common-questions-about-the-newest-us-sunscreen-ingredient

An AI-assisted editorial system helped prepare this page. No named medical reviewer has reviewed it unless one is listed.

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