What is bemotrizinol? Popular Korean sunscreen ingredient gets FDA approval

The FDA signed off on a new ingredient for sunscreen today for the first time in more than two-and-a-half decades.Bemotrizinol, an ingredient used in European and Asian products, met the agency’s standards for protecting from dangerous ultraviolet rays while not being irritating or harmful to skin.The popular ingredient often used in Korean skin products is a skin-protecting chemical that’s hailed by dermatologists as great for skin.Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the US, with more than 5 million people diagnosed every year.Experts have long called for approval of ingredients, such as bemotrizinol, that offer broader and more stable protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays.“This is a meaningful advancement for sunscreen innovation in the US,” Dr.Jessica Weiser, a dermatologist and founder of Weiser Skin MD, told The Post.

“Bemotrizinol has been widely used in Europe for years, and dermatologists have long been aware of its ability to provide broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.“Having another FDA-recognized sunscreen filter available to consumers expands our options and supports the development of more elegant, effective formulations that can encourage daily sunscreen use.”The FDA previously only designated two active ingredients — zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — as Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective (GRASE).Also known as BEMT, bemotrizinol is an oil-soluble chemical that offers protection against UVB and UVA rays.While UVA rays penetrate deep into skin, causing premature aging and the development of skin cancers, UVB rays directly damage cellular DNA, which can create mutations that lead to basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.While bemotrizinol, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer broad protection and are approved by the FDA, other common chemical filters, like oxybenzone, are under safety review as their long-term safety and potential toxicity is unclear.The newest ingredie...