Safe Sunscreen at Last? FDA Approves First New UV Filter in 25 Years!

For decades Americans have been told to wear sunscreen every day during the spring, summer and fall! Dermatologists urge us to slather it on before heading outdoors, even if we are only going to the supermarket or the mall. They insist that any ultraviolet radiation can cause premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer. But finding a safe sunscreen has been surprisingly complicated.

This week the Food and Drug Administration announced something that many people have long been waiting for. The agency approved bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen ingredient added to the U.S. sunscreen monograph in more than 25 years. This active ingredient has been used in Europe and many other countries since the late 1990s, but American consumers have been unable to purchase sunscreens containing it because of FDA regulatory hurdles.

The People’s Pharmacy applauds this delayed decision! There is, however, an uncomfortable question you might be asking:

Why did Americans have to wait more than two decades for a sunscreen ingredient already used safely around the world?

First New Safe Sunscreen Ingredient Since the 1990s

On June 9, 2026 the FDA wrote this:

“Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration added bemotrizinol to the list of permitted sunscreen active ingredients, marking a significant milestone in the agency’s efforts to advance sunscreen innovation.

“The FDA is committed to ensuring the American consumer has access to the most effective and safe therapies, including over-the-counter products like sunscreens.”

“Bemotrizinol provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays and has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body. The FDA considers bemotrizinol to be generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for use in sunscreens by adults and children 6 months of age and older.

“…FDA will promote innovation in the sunscreen market, and improve regulatory processes for over-the-counter sunscreen, which has fallen behind other countries.”

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) Applauds a Safe Sunscreen Ingredient

When we want information about sunscreens, we often turn to the EWG. This organization makes recommendations about a variety of consumer products, especially sunscreens.

The EWG describes the FDA approval of bemotrizinol as a “monumental victory for health and wellness:”

“In a landmark decision for public health and consumer protection, the Food and Drug Administration today finalized its approval of the first new ultraviolet filter in more than 25 years deemed a safe and effective active ingredient in U.S. sunscreens.

“The chemical, bemotrizinol, also known as BEMT, will give American consumers access to a level of ultraviolet A protection that has until now been unavailable on U.S. store shelves. The regulatory review process leading up to this approval took more than two decades.

“Bemotrizinol offers a stable  non-mineral option  that doesn’t break down in the sun, unlike one of two previously approved UVA filters, avobenzone.”

What Company Makes Bemotrizinol (BEMT)?

You have probably not heard of DSM (Dutch de Nederlandse Staatsmijnen aka Dutch State Mines). This chemical, health and nutrition company, Royal DSM, merged with a Swiss company, Firmenich, in 2023. It is now DSM-Firmenich. A subsidiary, DSM Nutritional Products LLC, has been granted 18 month exclusive marketing rights by the FDA for bemotrizinol under the name PARSOL® Shield.

Do not expect that ingredient to show up in sunscreens on pharmacy or supermarket shelves next week, though. The FDA order only becomes effective on August 9, 2026. Some pundits think that PARSOL® Shield might make it to shelves in August, but a more likely scenario has them hitting stores in the fall. I am guesstimating that there will be quite a few sunscreens with BEMT arriving in the spring of 2027.

Consumers should understand that many sunscreen products currently on store shelves still rely upon older ingredients that the FDA says require additional safety data. In other words, the approval of one new ingredient does not magically resolve concerns about all the others.

How Can You Find A Safe Sunscreen This Summer?

Combining Ingredients May Change Sunscreen Effectiveness:

Currently, manufacturers test active ingredients separately to determine if they are safe and effective. Research suggests, however, that testing them individually may not tell the whole story (Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, Oct. 14. 2021).

The scientists found that zinc oxide, which is a safe and effective UV filter on its own, can speed the degradation of avobenzone. This compound provides protection from UVA. As a result of the interaction, avobenzone loses effectiveness rapidly.

According to the scientists,

“This study found that combining sunscreen active ingredients, which are safe on their own, can result in decreased mixture safety following UV irradiation.”

In this research, the size of the zinc oxide particle did not matter. Both micro- and nano-sized particles interacted with avobenzone.

What’s in Your Sunscreen?

Most people never bother to look at the ingredients on the label. And even when they do, those long chemical names are confusing.

In addition, consumers often take topical skin care products for granted. Perhaps it seems as if they just sit on top of the skin providing protection against sunburn. Until recently we didn’t even know whether ingredients in sunscreens were absorbed into the body!

In fact, however, several sunscreen ingredients can be absorbed through the skin. How can you choose a safe sunscreen given FDA’s surprising lack of oversight of these drugs?

Finding a Safe Sunscreen Is Challenging

Tens of millions of people have been slathering on sunscreen for decades. That’s largely because dermatologists have repeatedly told us that any sun exposure will cause wrinkling and premature aging.

They also point out that ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer. People who spend a lot of time outdoors without protection are more likely to get both squamous and basal cell skin cancers. They are also more vulnerable to far more serious melanomas.

Almost everyone believes that the FDA has been scrutinizing sunscreens for safety. But two FDA-sponsored studies published in JAMA a few years ago revealed some startling data about selecting a safe sunscreen.

FDA’s Embarrassing Findings

What the investigators found was that ingredients in sunscreens are absorbed through the skin and get into the body. The FDA study evaluated six compounds, including avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate and octinoxate. Many commercial sunscreens contain at least one of these ingredients.

Why don’t you stop reading this article and dig out your sunscreen and check to see whether any of those chemicals are in your sunscreens? You may be surprised.

Most people assume that the FDA has tested such products carefully to make sure that they are safe, especially for small children. But the FDA did not even know whether the compounds could get through the skin and enter the circulation until completing these studies.

Catching the FDA in a Lie

Think about that last statement for more than a second or two. We have assumed for decades that what we put on our skin stays on our skin. Most people imagine that their skin is a great barrier to creams, lotions and cosmetics of all sorts.

The research published in JAMA (May 6, 2019)  and JAMA (Jan. 21, 2020)  proveed that is not the case when it comes to sunscreens. We now know that ingredients in sunscreens get under your skin.

The investigators discovered that these compounds penetrate the skin and build up in the blood stream. Since some are suspected of being hormone disruptors, this finding is disturbing. According to an EWG report, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has issued preliminary findings that oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) and homosalate are not safe at the current concentrations permitted in sunscreen.

Why worry about homosalate or oxybenzone? Scientific evidence suggests that these compounds may act like estrogen and could disrupt hormonal balance. The FDA has called for research into the safety and effectiveness of the ingredients in many sunscreens. We have yet to see the results of such studies, though.

You can learn more about the studies and what was uncovered at this link:

JAMA Study Proves Sunscreens ARE Absorbed into Bloodstream
A second FDA-sponsored study reveals that many popular sunscreens are absorbed through the skin and get into the circulation. How worrisome is this finding?

What About Zinc in Sunscreen?

Q. You’ve written about the danger of excess zinc exposure from dental adhesives. Does zinc in mineral sunscreens affect us the same way? My dermatologist has recommended I use this type of sunscreen, so I am anxious to hear from you.

A. The amount of zinc absorbed through the skin from a zinc-oxide nanoparticle-based sunscreen is quite different from that absorbed from denture adhesive in the mouth.

According to the European Commission,

“There was some evidence of absorption of soluble zinc in the beach trial, but the amounts were very small. The recommended daily dietary intake of zinc is 8 mg for women and 11 mg for men. The amounts absorbed from sunscreen, which amounted to 0.001 per cent of the applied dose, were between 100 and 1,000 times smaller than this.”

This type of sunscreen appears to be safe and effective, with minimal zinc absorption.

How Would You Know If You Have a Safe Sunscreen?

The FDA still has very little information about sunscreen safety. It has not required manufacturers to investigate whether these sunscreen ingredients have deleterious effects. Some experts worry that they could disrupt hormone balance, especially for pregnant women or young children.

Dr. Janet Woodcock, former director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the FDA, had this to say about the finding that ingredients are absorbed:

“…this finding calls for further industry testing to determine the safety and effect of systemic exposure of sunscreen ingredients, especially with chronic use.”

“…the FDA requested additional information on active ingredients in sunscreen to evaluate their GRASE (Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective) status in light of changed conditions, including substantially increased sunscreen usage and evolving information about the potential risks associated with these products since they were originally evaluated. We look to sharing further updates on this important area of research.”

Let’s analyze these statements in a bit more detail.

1) The FDA did not realize the ingredients in sunscreen were absorbed in significant levels until its studies were completed.

2) Because the FDA did not realize how much sunscreen was absorbed into the body it had not required safety studies.

3) Now, after decades of use by tens of millions of people, the FDA is requiring companies to perform safety studies.

4) How long will it take to learn if the chemicals used in sunscreens are safe? That’s anyone’s guess. When it comes to the FDA and safety concerns, our crystal ball is quite cloudy.

Readers Want Safe Sunscreen!

Some readers are alarmed about the FDA studies. One wrote:

“I am very concerned about this matter. I have discovered that in the past there are some sunscreens that I can ‘taste’ after a while. When I mentioned this to my dermatologist, she was surprised.

“That gave me reason to wonder if I need a new dermatologist. It seemed logical to me. I thought maybe I absorb the ingredients through the palms of my hands. Since that time, I use only products labeled for babies, usually with zinc oxide.”

Another reader added this:

“I use only products containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. If I apply products with other ingredients to my face, my eyes will be irritated for hours afterward.”

How Can You Find A Safe Sunscreen?

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has been evaluating sunscreens for years. This nonprofit organization agrees that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the only two sunscreen ingredients that have good safety data.

According to EWG:

“For 12 other ingredients, the FDA has said there isn’t enough data to determine whether they’re safe. In particular, FDA raised concerns about the substantial skin absorption of oxybenzone, its potential to affect hormone levels and the increased absorption susceptibility of children.”

We worry that some of the ingredients found in common sunscreens could impact thyroid hormone function. We are also concerned about hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. The EWG report goes into some detail about these issues. It is worth reading!

So, How Can You Pick A Safe Sunscreen?

What does all this mean for your skin this summer? Most people hate trying to decipher the long chemical names in tiny print on the label of their favorite sunscreen. But unless it is titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, you might want to think twice about buying the product for young children. The Food and Drug Administration classifies these two ingredients as safe and effective. They physically block ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Some people have expressed concern about the nanoparticles of zinc and titanium. If you are old enough you will likely remember the white noses of lifeguards at the beach or swimming pool. That’s because they were using zinc oxide cream. It makes people look a little ghostlike.

In recent years, though, the manufacturers have created tiny particles of these mineral so they are less likely to make you look white.

Here is what EWG has to say about nanoparticles:

“Mineral sunscreens are made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, usually in the form of nanoparticles. Evidence suggests that few if any zinc or titanium particles penetrate the skin to reach living tissues. So mineral sunscreens tend to rate better than chemical sunscreens in the EWG sunscreen database.”

EWG goes on to suggest that sunscreen manufacturers should coat the nanoparticles with inert chemicals to “reduce photoactivity.”

One final word. We discourage use of aerosol sprays. Inhaling either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is not good for the lungs. In fact, we would discourage use of sunscreen sprays in general. Yes, we know they are convenient. But breathing in a fine mist of sunscreen chemicals is not a great way to enjoy the great outdoors.That’s because it is hard not to breathe the mist. We do not want people inhaling sunscreen ingredients into their lungs.

What Should You Buy This Summer?

If bemotrizinol-containing products become available in late 2026, they may offer consumers an attractive new option. The ingredient provides strong UVA and UVB protection without the white residue often associated with mineral sunscreens. You will need to look for PARSOL® Shield on the label.

Until such products become widely available, however, consumers who are looking for a safe sunscreen may still wish to focus on mineral formulations containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

At the same time, common-sense sun protection remains important:

• Seek shade during peak sun hours.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Use broad-brimmed hats.
• Wear sunglasses.
• Reapply sunscreen regularly, especially if you are swimming and sweating

And don’t forget that sunscreen is only one part of a comprehensive strategy for protecting your skin.

Some products that score well on the EWG list of sunscreens include 365 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, Badger Sunscreen Cream, California Baby Sunscreen Stick, Rocket Pure Natural Sunscreen and 3rd Rock Sunblock. There are many more products on the EWG website, so if you would like to check out your favorite sunscreen, just go to that link for more options to locate a safe sunscreen.

Final Words

The FDA deserves some credit for finally approving a new sunscreen ingredient. Bemotrizinol (BEMT) appears to represent a meaningful advance in sun protection technology.

But after waiting more than 25 years, Americans might reasonably wonder why innovation moved so quickly in Europe and Asia while sunscreen development remained frozen in the United States. A safe sunscreen should not require a quarter-century regulatory odyssey.

By the way, have you ever wondered whether sunscreen prevents skin cancer? We all take it for granted that sunscreen is highly effective. When we started searching for evidence, we were surprised with what we discovered. We also aggravated a lot of dermatologists. You may find this article of interest:

Does Sunscreen Prevent Skin Cancer? Dermatologist Is Irate!
If you visit a dermatologist the chances are good that you will be reminded to slather on the sunscreen. But is there a good answer to the question: Does sunscreen prevent skin cancer?

What Do You Think?

Please share your thoughts about safe sunscreen in the comment section below. How do you prevent a sunburn? Do you look at the ingredients on your sunscreen? Are you concerned about things like chemical absorption and safety? How do you feel about mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide?

If you found this article of interest, please share it with friends and family by scrolling to the top of the article and clicking on the icons for email and social media.