Quick Answer
Bemotrizinol, often shortened to BEMT, is a broad spectrum UV filter that absorbs both UVB and UVA rays and stays stable in sunlight. It has been used in Europe since 2000, often under the trade name Tinosorb S. In June 2026 the FDA added it to the US sunscreen monograph as generally recognized as safe and effective for adults and children 6 months and older, at up to 6%. It is the first new sunscreen active permitted in the US in more than two decades.
For more than twenty years, American sunscreen has been built from the same short list of active ingredients. Europe, Australia and Japan moved on. US formulators did not, because adding a new active required a regulatory process that stalled for decades. That changed in June 2026. Bemotrizinol is now legal to use in US sunscreen, and it fills the gap American formulas have struggled with most: stable, broad UVA protection that holds up in real sun.
What Is Bemotrizinol?
Bemotrizinol is an oil-soluble organic UV filter. On an ingredient label you may see it listed by its chemical name, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, or recognize it by trade names used by ingredient suppliers, including Tinosorb S. It is the same molecule under each name.
It absorbs across both UVB, the wavelengths that cause sunburn, and UVA, the longer wavelengths that drive photoaging and pigment. Its absorption peaks sit at roughly 310 and 340 nanometers, which is why it covers both ranges from a single ingredient.
Why Did It Take So Long to Reach the US?
In the US, sunscreen is regulated as an over-the-counter drug. An active ingredient has to be listed in the FDA's sunscreen monograph before a brand can use it without a new drug application. For years that list was effectively closed to new entries.
The CARES Act of 2020 created a faster route, called an OTC Monograph Order Request. Bemotrizinol was submitted through it in September 2024, proposed in December 2025, and finalized in June 2026. It is the first sunscreen active to complete that process. The order took effect August 9, 2026, which means BEMT formulas can now be made and sold in the US.
What Does BEMT Do Differently?
Three properties set it apart.
It is photostable. Many UV filters break down as they absorb sunlight, so a sunscreen can lose protection over a long day outdoors. Bemotrizinol holds its structure under heavy UV exposure.
It protects other filters. Research shows BEMT helps stabilize avobenzone, the most common US UVA filter, which degrades quickly in sunlight on its own.
It barely penetrates skin. Bemotrizinol is a large molecule, roughly 628 daltons, and its size limits how much passes through the skin. In laboratory testing it has shown no estrogenic activity.
How BEMT Compares With Common US Sunscreen Actives
| Active | Type | UV coverage | Photostable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc oxide | Mineral | UVB and UVA | Yes |
| Titanium dioxide | Mineral | UVB and short UVA | Yes |
| Bemotrizinol (BEMT) | Organic | UVB and UVA | Yes |
| Avobenzone | Organic | Long UVA | No, without a stabilizer |
| Octocrylene | Organic | UVB and short UVA | Yes |
| Homosalate | Organic | UVB | Partly |
Is BEMT a Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen?
Bemotrizinol is an organic filter, which most people call a chemical filter. It is not a mineral like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. For a refresher on the difference, see mineral vs chemical sunscreen.
That distinction matters in two places. First, on the label, it appears as its own active ingredient, separate from zinc. Second, under local law, Maui County and Hawaii County restrict sunscreen to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide only, so a formula containing BEMT does not meet those rules, even though it is permitted everywhere else in the US. Traveling? Our guide to Caribbean sunscreen rules covers Aruba, Bonaire and the USVI.
What makes BEMT unusual among organic filters is its safety profile. It is the first organic filter the FDA has recognized as safe and effective, a status previously held only by the two minerals.
Why Pair BEMT With Zinc Oxide?
Zinc oxide is the gold standard for broad spectrum mineral protection, but high zinc loads can leave a white cast and a heavier feel. Pairing zinc with bemotrizinol lets a formula reach strong UVA protection with a lighter, more wearable texture, while keeping both actives photostable. Ingredient suppliers note that BEMT combined with zinc oxide helps formulas reach the critical wavelength benchmark used to define broad spectrum protection.
Is Bemotrizinol Safe for Sensitive Skin and Kids?
The FDA's final order recognizes bemotrizinol as safe and effective for adults and children 6 months and older. Its large molecular size and low skin absorption are part of why it is widely used in European formulas for sensitive skin. As with any new product, anyone with reactive skin should patch test first. For more on choosing formulas for reactive skin, see the sensitive skin guide. For babies under 6 months, the standard guidance still applies: shade and protective clothing rather than sunscreen.
When Will BEMT Sunscreens Be Available in the US?
Brands could begin selling BEMT formulas once the FDA order took effect in August 2026. Reformulating, testing and labeling a sunscreen takes time, so most US BEMT launches are expected in 2027. SolRX is bringing BEMT to its mineral line in 2027. Join the waitlist below to be first to know.
Key Takeaways
-
BEMT is the first organic UV filter the FDA recognizes as safe and effective.
Until 2026, only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide held that status. -
It barely absorbs into skin and stays stable in sunlight.
A large molecule with low skin penetration, which is why it is a staple of European sensitive skin formulas. -
Paired with zinc oxide, BEMT delivers strong UVA protection in a lighter formula.
Daily face protection is where that difference shows most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bemotrizinol
What is BEMT in sunscreen?
BEMT is short for bemotrizinol, a broad spectrum UV filter that absorbs both UVB and UVA rays. It is photostable, meaning it does not break down in sunlight, and it helps stabilize other filters like avobenzone. It has been used in Europe since 2000 and was added to the US sunscreen monograph in June 2026.
Is bemotrizinol FDA approved?
Yes. In June 2026 the FDA issued a final order adding bemotrizinol to the US sunscreen monograph at concentrations up to 6%. The order recognizes it as generally recognized as safe and effective for adults and children 6 months and older. It took effect August 9, 2026, and is the first new sunscreen active in more than two decades.
Is Tinosorb S the same as bemotrizinol?
Yes. Tinosorb S is a trade name for bemotrizinol, and the ingredient is also sold under other supplier trade names. On a US Drug Facts panel it appears as bemotrizinol. The chemical name, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, often appears on international ingredient lists. All three refer to the same molecule.
Is bemotrizinol a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
Bemotrizinol is an organic filter, commonly called a chemical filter. It is not a mineral like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. It is, however, the first organic filter the FDA has recognized as safe and effective. Many new formulas pair it with zinc oxide to combine mineral protection with stronger, lighter UVA coverage.
Is bemotrizinol safe?
The FDA reviewed clinical, nonclinical and literature data and concluded that bemotrizinol is safe and effective at up to 6%. It is a large molecule with low skin absorption, and laboratory studies found no estrogenic activity. It has more than two decades of use in Europe and Australia. Anyone with reactive skin should patch test new products.
Is bemotrizinol reef-safe?
"Reef-safe" is not a regulated term. Bemotrizinol is not banned under the Caribbean sunscreen laws in Aruba, Bonaire or the US Virgin Islands. Maui County and Hawaii County, however, allow only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, so a formula containing BEMT does not meet those local rules. Check the rules for your destination.
Is bemotrizinol safe for kids?
The FDA order recognizes bemotrizinol as safe and effective for children 6 months and older. For babies under 6 months, standard guidance is shade and protective clothing rather than sunscreen. Choose a formula labeled for children, and patch test first if your child has sensitive skin or eczema.
When can I buy BEMT sunscreen in the US?
BEMT formulas became legal to sell in the US on August 9, 2026. Because reformulating and testing a sunscreen takes time, most US launches are expected in 2027. SolRX is bringing BEMT to its mineral line in early 2027. Join the waitlist to be notified when it arrives.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Final Administrative Order OTC000039, amending OTC Monograph M020 to add bemotrizinol. June 2026.
- Venable LLP. FDA Clears the Way for Bemotrizinol: First New OTC Sunscreen Active Ingredient in More Than 20 Years. June 2026.
- SGS. FDA Adds Bemotrizinol to OTC Sunscreen Monograph. SafeGuardS 083/26, June 2026.
- Freyr Solutions. FDA Finalizes Addition of Bemotrizinol to OTC Sunscreen Monograph M020. 2026.
- Chatelain, E. and Gabard, B. Photostabilization of Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) and Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate by Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Tinosorb S), a New UV Broadband Filter. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2001.
- Ashby, J. et al. Lack of Binding to Isolated Estrogen or Androgen Receptors, and Inactivity in the Immature Rat Uterotrophic Assay, of the Ultraviolet Sunscreen Filters Tinosorb M-Active and Tinosorb S. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2001.
- County of Maui. Ordinance 5306, Mineral Only Sunscreen. Effective October 1, 2022.
