FDA allows popular sunscreen ingredient long used in Europe and Asia

Health newsFDA allows popular sunscreen ingredient long used in Europe and AsiaAdvocates and sunscreen enthusiasts have been pushing for the U.S. to allow bemotrizinol for years.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Bemotrizinol, a UV light filter, has long been available in Europe, Australia and some Asian countries.Chelsea Stahl and Elise Wrabetz / NBC NewsShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 9, 2026, 12:11 PM EDTBy Sara G. MillerThe Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday expanded its list of allowed sunscreen ingredients to include the chemical compound bemotrizinol. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The change has been eagerly anticipated for years: Bemotrizinol has long been popular in Europe, Australia and some Asian countries. It also marks the first time in more than 20 years the FDA has permitted a new compound onto its sunscreen ingredient list . Why the excitement? Bemotrizinol is a UV light filter, meaning it blocks out harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. To be most effective, these filters need to be broad-spectrum, meaning they block UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays cause aging and wrinkles while UVB rays cause sunburn, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Both contribute to skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. UV filters come in two formats: mineral or chemical. The mineral sunscreens — which contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide — block both UVA and UVB rays, but often leave a white cast on the skin. Currently, the chemical filters available in the U.S. protect against either UVA or UVB. None are broad-spectrum on their own, and products often contain a mix to block both types of ray. Chemical sunscreens also break down in the sun and need to be regularly reapplied.Bemotrizinol is broad-spectrum and far more stable, so it doesn’t break down in the sun. It also has low levels of absorption into the body, according to the FDA. There has been concern...