Bemotrizinol: A New Sunscreen Ingredient That Helps Protect Your Skin
By Kyleen Davis, FNP
For the first time in more than 25 years, the United States has approved a new sunscreen filter called bemotrizinol. People in Europe, Canada, Australia, and many Asian countries have used it safely for years, and now it is finally available here. This is exciting because it gives families another strong option for protecting their skin.
What makes bemotrizinol special?
Bemotrizinol protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays:
- UVB rays cause sunburn and play a big role in skin cancer.
- UVA rays go deeper into the skin and can cause wrinkles, dark spots, and early aging.
Most sunscreens in the U.S. use several ingredients to cover both types of rays. Bemotrizinol can do this on its own, which means sunscreen makers can create products that work better with fewer ingredients.
Safe and gentle on skin:
Another benefit is how it behaves on the skin. Bemotrizinol is a large, heavy molecule, which means it stays on the surface of your skin instead of being absorbed into your body. Studies show that it stays in the outer layer of skin and has very low absorption, which supports its strong safety profile. It is approved for adults and for children as young as six months.
Feels better on the skin:
Many people dislike sunscreens because they feel sticky or leave a white film. Bemotrizinol is different:
- It goes on clear
- It blends easily
- It doesn’t leave a chalky look
- It works well in lightweight, comfortable formulas
When sunscreen feels better, people are more likely to use it every day, which is key for preventing skin cancer.
Stays strong in the sun:
Some sunscreen ingredients break down after being in sunlight for a while. Bemotrizinol is highly stable, meaning it keeps working even after hours outside. It can also help other sunscreen ingredients stay effective longer.
Why are new sunscreen ingredients important?
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Millions of people are treated every year, and melanoma cases continue to rise. Using sunscreen daily is one of the easiest ways to lower your risk.
Having a new ingredient that is safe, strong, and pleasant to use gives patients more choices — especially for people who have struggled to find a sunscreen they like.
When will you see bemotrizinol in stores?
Products containing bemotrizinol may appear by the end of 2026. Some may be labeled under the name “Parsol Shield”. You’ll likely see it in lotions, creams, and facial sunscreens.
Tips for choosing a sunscreen
- Look for “broad spectrum” on the label
- Choose SPF 30 or higher
- Reapply every two hours when outdoors
- Use enough: most adults need about a shot‑glass amount for full body coverage
The bottom line
Bemotrizinol is a welcome addition to U.S. sunscreens. It offers strong protection, low absorption, and a clear, comfortable feel on the skin. As more products become available, patients will have better options to help keep their skin healthy for years to come.
References
American Academy of Dermatology (N.D.). Skin Cancer. Available online at: https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer.
AIM at Melanoma (June 2026). The FDA just approved a new sunscreen ingredient: what it means for patients with skin cancer, survivors, and the general public. Available online at: https://aimatskincancer.org/living-with-skin-cancer/the-fda-just-approved-a-new-sunscreen-ingredient-what-it-means-for-patients-with-skin-cancer-survivors-and-the-general-public/.
AIM at Melanoma (N.D.) What is Sunscreen? Available online at: https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/melanoma-101/prevention/sunscreen/.
Centers for Disease Control (April 2026). Melanoma of the skin statistics. Available online at: https://www.cdc.gov/skincancer/statistics/index.html?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuY2RjLmdvdlwvc2tpbi1jYW5jZXJcL3N0YXRpc3RpY3NcL2luZGV4Lmh0bWwiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiI3ZEpXSmFwQWQ3M1pwcHVobWVLS3oiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiS0dSOTFNWGtpV0t3aGpKNXFEWVJoIn0%3D&utm_source=copilot.com.
DSM-Firmenich (2024). DSM-Firmenich receives FDA-approval for Parsol Shield (bemotrizinol) (Press release). Available online at: https://our-company.dsm-firmenich.com/en/our-company/news/press-releases/2026/dsm-firmenich-receives-fda-approval-on-parsol-shield.html.
Rigel, D. & Bosslett, M. (June 2026). What dermatologists need to know about the first new sunscreen ingredient in decades. Dermatology Times. Available online at: https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/what-dermatologists-need-to-know-about-the-first-new-sunscreen-ingredient-in-decades.
Ruiz, C., Plautz, J., Schuetz, R., Sanabria, C., Hammonds, J. Erata, C., Klock, J., Vollhardt, J., & Mesaros, S. (2023). Preliminary clinical pharmacokinetic evaluation of bemotrizinol-a new sunscreen active ingredient being considered for inclusion under FDA’s over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen monograph. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 139, 105344.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (June 2026). FDA expands sunscreen options for the first time in 20 years. Available online at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-expands-sunscreen-options-first-time-20-years.
World Health Organization (N.D.) Skin cancer. Available online at: https://www.iarc.who.int/cancer-type/skin-cancer/.
