New sunscreen ingredient BEMT now available in US stores

Americans now have access to a new type of sunscreen ingredient, bemotrizinol (BEMT), which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June, according to reports from pasadenastarnews.com and ljworld.com.

The first sunscreens containing BEMT are currently available on U.S. store shelves, including products from brands such as Neutrogena. Dermatologists highlight that BEMT provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, which are responsible for skin damage, sunburn, and increased cancer risk.

BEMT is the first chemical sunscreen ingredient approved in the U.S. in over 25 years to offer dual protection against UVA and UVB rays. Previously, manufacturers had to combine several ingredients to achieve this broad-spectrum effect.

Experts note that BEMT has decades of safety data and minimal skin absorption, addressing concerns associated with older chemical sunscreens. It also avoids cosmetic issues like white streaking, which can occur with some other sunscreen ingredients.

This development fills a significant gap in sunscreen options available to consumers nationwide, providing an effective and cosmetically appealing choice for skin protection.