FDA clears first new sunscreen ingredient in more than 20 years
Why it matters: Bemotrizinol is a more stable UVA and UVB filter and can be used in sunscreens for adults and children 6 months and older.
The Food and Drug Administration cleared bemotrizinol for use in U.S. sunscreens, marking the first approval of a new sunscreen ingredient in more than two decades. The non-mineral chemical filter has long been available in Europe and is designed to protect against both UVA and UVB rays while breaking down less easily in sunlight than some existing filters. The FDA said bemotrizinol is generally recognized as safe and effective for adults and for children 6 months and older. The decision could broaden sunscreen options in the United States and help address concerns about gaps in UVA protection in products now on the market.