For the first time in nearly three decades, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new chemical UV filter for sunscreens sold in the U.S. This ingredient, bemotrizinol, offers several advantages over previously available chemical sunscreen ingredients, according to Dr. Heather Rogers, a dermatologist in Seattle and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Here’s what you need to know about this new ingredient:
☀️ Bemotrizinol offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and it is photo stable, meaning it breaks down more slowly and provides better overall protection, according to Rogers. In the U.S., chemical sunscreens typically use avobenzone, an ingredient that lacks photo stability, leading to its protective effects diminishing quickly when exposed to sunlight.
☀️ Bemotrizinol has been widely used in European and Asian sunscreens for decades. The FDA's approval process in the U.S. has taken much longer because it regulates sunscreens as over-the-counter drugs rather than treating them as cosmetics, as in Europe. That means ingredients undergo rigorous testing to ensure their safety and effectiveness before receiving approval for use in the U.S.
☀️ Animal testing has indicated that bemotrizinol doesn't raise concerns of reproductive harm. Clinical trials in humans found that it does not irritate the skin, even after repeated applications, according to Alexa Friedman, a senior scientist at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group. | 
