Your sunscreen is outdated. The FDA has finally cleared a path to make it more effective

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized its approval of bemotrizinol (BEMT) on an unspecified date, marking the first update to the list of permitted active sunscreen ingredients in 25 years, since 1999. This decision allows a sunscreen ingredient widely used in Europe and Asia since 1999 to be officially available in the United States. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) described the change as a "landmark decision for public health and consumer protection." David Andrews, chief science officer at EWG, stated that this is a "great day for American consumers" and for those advocating for improved sunscreen options and better UVA protection in U.S. products. Bemotrizinol functions as a chemical sunscreen filter by absorbing UV rays, and it has been available in Europe and Asia under brand names such as Parsol Shield and Tinosorb. The FDA approval grants 18 months of exclusive marketing rights in the U.S. to the bemotrizinol formulation developed by European skincare company DSM-Fermenich. Currently, U.S. sunscreens are limited in their UVA protection, with EWG identifying only mineral ingredient zinc oxide and chemical filter avobenzone as providing "meaningful UVA protection." Bemotrizinol's approval addresses limitations of existing filters by offering enhanced UVA protection.