Bemotrizinol: Improving Sunscreen Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced that “Bemotrizinol was added to the list of permitted sunscreen active ingredients, marking a significant milestone in the agency’s efforts to advance sunscreen innovation. Bemotrizinol is the first new active ingredient added to the over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen monograph since the late 1990s.”
Bemotrizinol, also known as BEMT, will give American consumers access to a level of Ultraviolet A (UVA) protection previously unavailable on U.S. store shelves. It is anticipated that by August of this year, new product formulations will be available to consumers that may reflect the trade names for the ingredient BEMT as Parsol Shield or Tinosorb S.
BEMT has been marketed for years as a sunscreen ingredient in countries in Europe and around the world. Since 1999 it has been used in sunscreens across Europe and Asia under brand names like Tinosorb S by BASF and Parsol Shield by DSM. It provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays and has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body.
BEMT is a stable, non-mineral substance that doesn’t break down in sunlight like one of two previously approved UVA filters — avobenzone — and it doesn’t leave a white color on the skin.
“Now that we are getting into the summer, it is more important than ever to protect your skin,” says Peter Bittar, M.D., a visiting dermatologist at the Medical Center. “UV damage from the sun is responsible for the vast majority of skin cancers as well as 80 percent of visible signs of aging. So, make sure to apply a SPF 30+ sunscreen every time you go outside between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and remember to reapply every 2 hours.”
Peak UV rays occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses, apply sunscreen, and drink fluids frequently. Keep an eye on your local UV index: High to extreme levels (6 to 11+) require extra caution, especially when boating or playing outdoor sports. At minimum, schedule a yearly skin check with a dermatologist to help identify suspicious spots or possible skin cancers early.