The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the chemical bemotrizinol for use as an active ingredient in over-the-counter sunscreens. This marks the first time in 27 years that a new sunscreen filter has been cleared for the American market. The ingredient, also known as BEMT or by the brand name Parsol Shield, is expected to appear in consumer products starting in September 2026.
Dermatologists from Stanford Medicine stated that the approval addresses a gap in ultraviolet A (UVA) protection. While existing U.S. sunscreens typically filter light up to 370 nanometers, bemotrizinol covers the UVA spectrum up to 400 nanometers. The chemical was originally developed by Swiss chemists in the 1990s and has been available in other countries since approximately 2000.
Unlike many other regions that regulate sunscreen as a cosmetic, the U.S. classifies it as an over-the-counter drug. This classification required the manufacturer, DSM-Firmenich, to conduct safety and efficacy testing, including human and animal studies. The FDA review considered studies that showed no evidence of endocrine disruption, increased cancer risk, or concerning skin irritation. Because the bemotrizinol molecule is large, researchers found it is minimally absorbed through the skin.
The FDA cleared the ingredient for use on children as young as six months. Susan Swetter, MD, of Stanford Medicine, noted that risk models suggest regular sunscreen use in the first 18 years of life could reduce adult skin cancer rates by approximately 80%. Currently, skin cancer remains a health concern; researchers noted that in the late 1980s, individuals had higher rates of skin cancer on the driving side of their faces due to UVA penetration through glass.
The regulatory effort involved more than two decades of review and an investment of at least $18 million by DSM-Firmenich. The company conducted studies involving nearly 500 people to satisfy FDA requirements. Because bemotrizinol is highly photostable, it does not break down as quickly in sunlight as existing chemical filters like avobenzone, which can degrade in 30 minutes. Stanford Medicine experts noted that new formulations may feel less greasy and do not leave the white cast or clothing stains associated with mineral barriers like zinc oxide.
The FDA has granted DSM-Firmenich exclusive U.S. marketing rights for 18 months to allow the company to recoup its testing costs. While the specific retail price for these new products has not been reported, the presence of an option described by experts as "cosmetically elegant" and long-lasting may increase overall compliance with sun protection guidance. Following this, dermatologists expressed hope that other filters used abroad, such as Tinosorb M or Mexoryl, may eventually reach the U.S. market. The first products containing Parsol Shield are scheduled to be available starting in September 2026.