FDA Approves Bemotrizinol, First New Sunscreen Ingredient in Over 20 Years
The FDA has approved bemotrizinol, a new sunscreen ingredient that marks the first approval of its kind in more than two decades. Bemotrizinol is a non-mineral chemical ultraviolet filter that has been safely used in Europe for decades and is more stable than existing ingredients while being less readily absorbed into the bloodstream. The approval is expected to increase competition in the sunscreen market and address gaps in UVA protection in U.S. products.
The Food and Drug Administration announced approval of bemotrizinol as a new sunscreen ingredient, the first such approval in over 20 years. The ingredient is a non-mineral chemical ultraviolet filter that offers improved stability compared to existing UVA and UVB filters currently on the market, meaning it breaks down less easily when exposed to sunlight. A key distinction is that bemotrizinol is not as readily absorbed into the bloodstream after application compared to other UVA filters, though health experts note the significance of absorption rates for other sunscreen ingredients remains unclear. The FDA has determined bemotrizinol to be generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for use in sunscreens for adults and children 6 months and older. The approval comes after years of advocacy by groups including the Environmental Working Group, which has petitioned the FDA to approve the ingredient to close the UVA protection gap in U.S. sunscreens.
What's missing
The article does not discuss the timeline or reasons why this ingredient took decades to approve in the U.S. despite long-term use in Europe, nor does it address any specific safety studies or testing data that led to the approval decision. Additionally, there is limited discussion of how bemotrizinol's lower bioavailability compares to mineral sunscreen alternatives that some consumers prefer.
What different sources said
- ABC NewsCenter
FDA green-lights 1st new sunscreen ingredient in years
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