Bemotrizinol FDA Proposal: What It Means for U.S. Sunscreen + Skin Lon

A Major Update for U.S. Sunscreens

On December 11, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a proposed order to add bemotrizinol (also called Tinosorb S or BEMT) to the U.S. sunscreen monograph as a permitted active ingredient up to 6%.^1–3 Bemotrizinol is a broad-spectrum UV filter used in many countries outside the U.S. This proposal is important because U.S. sunscreen options have been limited for decades, and improved UVA coverage and sunlight stability can translate into better real-world protection.

At a Glance

Bemotrizinol is a UV filter used in many countries outside the U.S.⁴
It can help protect against UVA + UVB (broad-spectrum).⁴
The FDA proposal says it has low skin absorption and is rarely irritating based on reviewed data.^1–3
It may help make sunscreens feel lighter while keeping strong UVA protection.
This is still a proposal. Final rules come after public comment and FDA review.²

What is bemotrizinol?
Why is the FDA reviewing it now?
How it compares to common U.S. sunscreen filters
How it can work with mineral sunscreens
What this could mean for children’s sunscreens
Bemotrizinol vs. bisoctrizole (Tinosorb M)
What safety reviews and studies say
What to do now
Where advanced skin nutrition fits
Notes
References

In This Article You Will Learn

What bemotrizinol is (and what it is called on labels).
What the FDA proposed in December 2025.
How bemotrizinol compares to filters used in the U.S. today.
Why texture and UVA coverage matter for real-world use.
How bemotrizinol differs from bisoctrizole (Tinosorb M).
What the best sources say about absorption and irritation risk.

What Is Bemotrizinol?

Bemotrizinol is a sunscreen UV filter. It is often called Tinosorb S or BEMT in scientific and regulatory writing.^3,4

What it does (simple definitions)

UVA rays go deeper into skin and are linked to long-term skin damage.
UVB rays cause sunburn and also raise skin cancer risk.
Broad-spectrum means coverage for both UVA and UVB.

Reviews describe bemotrizinol as broad-spectrum and photostable. Photostable means it does not break down easily in sunlight.^4,5

Why Is the FDA Reviewing It Now?

In the U.S., sunscreen active ingredients are regulated as OTC drug actives. That is different from many other regions, where sunscreen filters are handled more like cosmetic ingredients.

The FDA’s December 2025 proposal would add bemotrizinol to OTC Monograph M020 (the sunscreen monograph), with conditions for use and labeling.^2,3

What “proposed” means

A proposal is not the final rule. The FDA publishes the proposal, collects public comments, and then decides what to finalize.²

How Bemotrizinol Compares to Common U.S. Sunscreen Filters

Many U.S. sunscreens use mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) and a smaller set of older organic filters. A key gap in some formulas is strong, stable UVA coverage over time.

Quick comparison (high-level)

Zinc oxide: strong UVA + UVB coverage (mineral).
Titanium dioxide: strong UVB, more limited UVA (mineral).
Avobenzone: strong UVA filter, but needs stabilizers.
Bemotrizinol (proposed): broad-spectrum and photostable.^3–5

In FDA-focused testing, bemotrizinol was studied using methods tied to the modern OTC sunscreen review approach, including skin permeation testing and a clinical maximum-usage style design.⁶

How Bemotrizinol Can Work With Mineral Sunscreens

Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These protect by reflecting and scattering UV light.

Bemotrizinol protects mainly by absorbing UV energy and releasing it as small amounts of heat. That is how many organic UV filters work.

When formulators can combine filters, they can often improve:

coverage across UVA and UVB
sun stability (how well protection holds up)
how the product feels on skin

There are also studies of “organo-mineral” sunscreen designs (mixing organic filters and minerals) that test photoprotection effects in lab models.⁷

What This Could Mean for Children’s Sunscreens

Children need sun protection. Outdoor time can add up fast, and sunburns in childhood matter.

The FDA proposal discusses conditions for bemotrizinol in OTC sunscreens, including use in people 6 months and older, based on the data reviewed.^1–3

Why this is important (plain language)

Many kids’ sunscreens use high zinc oxide to reach broad-spectrum targets.
High mineral levels can feel thick and can be harder to spread evenly.
A broad-spectrum, stable filter may help brands make products that are easier to apply.

Important: product claims and labeling depend on the final FDA rule and on each product’s testing.

Bemotrizinol vs. Bisoctrizole (Tinosorb M)

Bisoctrizole is another modern UV filter used outside the U.S. It is often called Tinosorb M (MBBT). Reviews describe both bemotrizinol and bisoctrizole as broad-spectrum and highly photostable.^4,5

Main difference: how they behave in a formula

Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S): oil-soluble (dissolves in oils), often helps create lighter, clearer products.^4,5
Bisoctrizole (Tinosorb M): behaves more like a fine particle in formulas, which can feel thicker or leave a slight cast in some products.^4,5

Simple takeaway

Both can help with broad-spectrum UV protection. Bemotrizinol is often easier to make “invisible.” Bisoctrizole can add more texture weight.

What Safety Reviews and Studies Say

For sunscreen actives, two big safety questions come up:

Absorption: how much gets through skin into the body
Skin reactions: irritation or allergy

The FDA’s press announcement and supporting documents state that, based on the data reviewed, bemotrizinol shows low absorption through skin and rare irritation.^1–3

A 2023 paper in Clinical and Translational Science describes an in vitro skin permeation test and a clinical pharmacokinetic maximum-usage style approach used to support bemotrizinol review at sunscreen-level concentration.⁶

Broader reviews also explain how UV filters are assessed for stability and skin penetration, and why real-world use matters when judging risk.^4,5

What to Do Now

If you are choosing sunscreen today, nothing changes yet. Bemotrizinol is still in the proposal stage.

Practical steps that stay true either way

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen you will actually wear.
Reapply when outdoors for long periods, sweating, or swimming.
Use hats, shade, and protective clothing for extra support.
If you have sensitive skin, mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide-based) are still a strong option.

Where Advanced Skin Nutrition Fits

Sun protection is a core part of skin longevity. “Skin longevity” means the long-term health of skin biology, not a quick “glow.” It includes how skin handles UV stress over years. Sunscreen is the main tool that blocks UV rays. Internal support does not replace sunscreen.

If you want a science-first framework for skin longevity (including UV stress and oxidative defense), start here: What Is Skin Longevity?

FAQ

What is bemotrizinol?

A sunscreen UV filter also called Tinosorb S or BEMT. It is used in many countries outside the U.S. and is described in reviews as broad-spectrum and photostable.

Is bemotrizinol mineral or chemical?

It is an organic (chemical) UV filter. It mainly works by absorbing UV energy. Mineral filters like zinc oxide mainly block UV at the skin surface.

Why does it matter?

Most people don’t fail at sunscreen because they don’t care. They fail because sunscreen is hard to use perfectly. If a formula feels heavy, leaves a cast, or doesn’t wear well, people often apply less than they should or skip reapplying. Modern filters can matter because they may improve two things consumers actually feel: balanced UVA protection and how wearable the product is. Better wearability can support more consistent use, which is what improves real protection.

Is this FDA approval final?

No. It is a proposal. The FDA publishes a proposed order, collects public comments, and then decides what to finalize.

What changes for me today?

Nothing yet. Your best move is still to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen you will actually wear and reapply when you are outdoors for long periods, sweating, or swimming.

Notes

This is educational content. It does not replace medical care.
Sunscreen rules can change. Always follow the final FDA rule and product labeling.

Bemotrizinol FDA Proposal: What It Means for U.S. Sunscreen + Skin Longevity