Meet the newest sunscreen in 20 years

By the end of the year, Americans will find a new sunscreen formulation on store shelves – for the first time in more than two decades.

Bemotrizinol, a chemical sunscreen, will join 16 other sunscreen ingredients approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. With a 26-year history in Europe, Australia and Asian countries, this sunscreen technology has a proven track record and welcome benefits.

“This new ingredient is a big win,” says Dr. Ellen Barnstable, a dermatologist at Aurora Health Care. “We’ve seen years of data from other countries show that it’s safe, stable and effective. It’s been a long time coming.”

How is bemotrizinol different?

This will be the first chemical ingredient to meet the FDA’s broad-spectrum requirements, giving consumers more choice in the type of sunscreen they use. It was introduced in European sunscreen in 2000, allowing for decades of data collection.

Studies show bemotrizinol doesn’t break down in the sun and isn’t absorbed into the body as readily as other chemical sunscreens are. Dr. Barnstable explains that, due to its larger molecule size, the majority of bemotrizinol remains on the surface or within the first few layers of skin. This is key to its ability to effectively absorb UV radiation.

When will it be available in the U.S.?

Look for bemotrizinol-based sunscreen to become available in late 2026 under the brand name Parsol Shield. For 18 months, it will be exclusively sold by DSM, the manufacturer that submitted the approval request to the FDA. After that, other sunblock brands can introduce the ingredient in their formulations.

A quick primer on sunscreen

Modern sunblock first gained popularity in the 1930s, with the concept of sun protection factor (SPF) debuting in 1962. The basics you need to know:

• How does it work? Sunscreen helps limit damage from UV rays emitted by the sun. UVA (aging) rays accelerate skin aging and wrinkles, while UVB (burning) rays are the main cause of sunburn. Both types contribute to the development of skin cancer.
• How is it made? Formulations are either mineral or chemical. Minerals like zinc oxide physically block UV rays by reflecting them off the skin. Chemicals like oxybenzone absorb and reflect UV rays away from the skin.

In 1999, the FDA made it mandatory for sunscreens to offer broad-spectrum protection, meaning they had to include ingredients effective against both UVA and UVA rays.

“Mineral sunscreens have a natural advantage since they’re already broad-spectrum,” Dr. Barnstable says. “But chemical sunscreens have had to combine multiple ingredients to offer broad-spectrum protection.”

Bemotrizinol is here to change that.

Dr. Barnstable is pleased that people will have yet another way to play it safe in the sun.

“As a dermatologist, I can’t say it enough: The best sunscreen is the one you’ll use regularly,” she says.

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