05/28/2026
Is the US finally getting a long-awaited sunscreen upgrade? The FDA is proposing a new UV filter called bemotrizinol, something that has been used in Europe, Australia and parts of Asia for years. Because sunscreen is regulated as an over the counter drug in the US, the path to approval can be slower and more complex than in places where it is treated more like a cosmetic.
Bemotrizinol is a broad-spectrum ingredient, meaning it can help protect against both UVA and UVB, two components of sunlight that are linked to skin damage over time. If approved, it could expand our sunscreen options and potentially make daily protection more effective in real-world use.