BEMT sunscreens are starting to hit shelves in the U.S. — here’s what you should know

American sunscreens are finally getting a face lift — this June, the FDA added bemotrizinol (BEMT) to its list of approved sunscreen active ingredients, marking the first new addition in more than 25 years. The ingredient is already a staple in other countries, and is already a common ingredient in many popular Korean sunscreen formulas. Although this is the first new ingredient to be approved in decades, it likely won’t be the last — according to Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, this is “likely just the beginning of a broader conversation about sunscreen innovation in the U.S.”

Keep reading for everything you need to know about BEMT, including which sunscreen formulas made with it are available now.

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Bemotrizinol is a broad-spectrum chemical filter for ultraviolet (UV) rays that helps protect against both UVA and UVB radiation, according to King. Though it’s been used in products in European, Asian, and Australian markets for years, it was recently approved by the FDA as an active sunscreen ingredient in the U.S. — the first newly-approved ingredient in more than 25 years. Since sunscreen is under the FDA’s drug classification category, the ingredient had to go through a rigorous approval process before reaching shelves here.

“This is a major milestone because it is the first new sunscreen active ingredient added to the FDA’s [over-the-counter] sunscreen monograph since the late 1990s,” says King. “For years, dermatologists have pointed out that American consumers had access to fewer UV filters than consumers in many other countries.”

She believes the addition of BEMT represents a meaningful step toward updating and modernizing sunscreen formulas in the U.S., and encouraging new product innovation in sun protection.

There are a number of reasons BEMT is an exciting sun care addition, says King. “One of its most notable characteristics is that it is highly photostable, meaning it does not significantly degrade when exposed to sunlight, allowing it to provide consistent UV protection throughout sun exposure,” she says. A few other BEMT benefits she notes include:

• Strong, broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays in a single filter.
• Unlike ingredients like avobenzone, which requires stabilization in the sun, it prevents breakdown in sunlight, says King.
• It has low skin absorption, which prevents ingredients from penetrating too deeply into your skin, allowing it to stay on the surface (where it’s most needed for sun protection).
• It can be used to create formulas that feel lightweight on the skin while still maintaining a high level of protection.

Although BEMT was very recently approved in the United States, brands are already updating old formulas and rolling out new ones that feature the ingredient. Below, I rounded up the best sunscreens with BEMT that are on the market right now, created by tried-and-true brands trusted by NBC Selected editors.

This formula from viral Australian sunscreen brand Ultra Violette is made specifically for acne-prone skin — thanks to the new BEMT filter, the sunscreen is gentle, non-irritating, and has broad-spectrum protection, according to the brand. It has a soft matte finish that’s ideal for keeping greasiness at bay on oily skin, and includes pentavitin, a moisturizing blend of plant extracts that helps keep skin hydrated for up to 72 hours. The sunscreen’s packaging also includes a push-pump applicator that lets you control how much you’re using while keeping the rest safely sealed away from air exposure.

Neutrogena is one of our favorite brands for moisturizers and sun care, and the brand has recently revamped some of its bestselling formulas to include the BEMT filter. This Clear Face sunscreen has a noncomedogenic formula that won’t clog your pores, and includes niacinamide and vitamin E to help calm sun irritation on your skin, according to Neutrogena. It’s fast absorbing and reviewers say it layers well under makeup and leaves no visible white cast.

If you have dry to normal skin, this may be the formula for you. It includes a multi-peptide blend that supports the skin’s collagen production, and dries down invisibly, making it great for all skin tones, according to the brand. It has a non-greasy, dewy finish and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios sunscreen is a longtime favorite of NBC Selected editors, myself included. The sunscreen absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a white cast, and I love that it is hydrating without being greasy. The formula includes an antioxidant complex to protect against free radicals, according to the brand, and it has a milky texture that feels very lightweight on the skin. Although the sunscreen won’t be available until October 20, you can pre-order your bottle ahead of the release.

Frequently asked questions

A UV filter is an ingredient that creates a barrier between your skin and ultraviolet rays from the sun. According to dermatologists we’ve spoken to in the past when rounding up the best sunscreens, UV filters can be either mineral, which blocks UV light from reaching the skin, or chemical, which absorbs UV light and converts it to a safer state (BEMT is a chemical filter).

Bemotrizinol is one of the most sophisticated sunscreen filters available globally, says King, and brings the U.S. closer to the formulas already widely used in Europe and Asia. While it’s not inherently better or worse than other ingredients already on the market, sunscreen with BEMT can be a better option for those looking for an invisible or lightweight formula.

“The biggest benefit consumers may notice in the future is that new sunscreen formulations could provide excellent protection while feeling lighter, more comfortable, and more cosmetically elegant on the skin,” says King. However, she stresses that what matters most is that an improvement in formulas can encourage daily use, which she says is absolutely necessary regardless of the formula.

At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist at her own private practice in New York City.

I am an associate SEO reporter for NBC Selected with more than three years of skin care reporting and a lifetime of beachside tanning under my belt. I’ve covered stories like the best sunscreens for dark skin tones and the best water-resistant sunscreens, along with constantly testing sunscreens across formulas. For this piece, I interviewed a board-certified dermatologist to find out all the details on the newly-approved BEMT sunscreen filter.

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