Ask any dermatologist to name their one non-negotiable skincare product and the answer is almost always the same: sunscreen. The problem? Most Americans still don’t use it consistently.
According to some reports, a mere third of adults in the United States routinely apply sunscreen, and women are almost twice as likely to do so compared to men. Knowledge gaps around sun safety are likely one culprit. But outdated, chalky formulas may also be to blame. There may finally be hope on the formula front, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently proposed adding bemotrizinol (aka Tinosorb S, or BEMT) as a permitted active ingredient for use in sunscreens.
Here’s why it’s a big deal for consumers, derms, and the American sunscreen market alike.
What is bemotrizinol?
Bemotrizinol is a chemical filter that provides broad-spectrum protection, meaning it shields against both UVA and UVB rays. (The former is associated with skin aging and long-term skin cancer risk, while the latter is responsible for
sunburn.) The ingredient has long been a staple in sunscreens across Europe, South Korea, and Japan—some of the world’s biggest beauty and grooming markets—and for good reason.
“From initial research, it appears to be a stable sunscreen filter, meaning it has less of a chance of degrading when exposed to UVA and UVB rays,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. “It is also better-tolerated than other chemical UV filters that can cause irritation, especially on sensitive skin or for patients with inflammatory skin conditions like eczema or rosacea.”
Click here to learn more about why bemotrizinol is a game-changer for sunscreen—and how close we are to getting it in the US.
