@samanthaschneidermd The FDA just approved bemotrizinol — the first new sunscreen ingredient in over 25 years. It's been used safely in Europe and Asia for decades, offers better UVA protection, and makes sunscreen feel SO elegant. Products hit shelves August 2026. Your sunscreen options are about to get a whole lot better. 🧴☀️ #sunscreen #dermatology #SPF #bemotrizinol ♬ original sound - Samantha Schneider, MD

For years, many skincare enthusiasts have purchased sunscreens from Europe and South Korea because they contain UV filters that haven't been available in the United States. 

That's beginning to change.

A new sunscreen filter called bemotrizinol (often abbreviated as BEMT) has been approved for use in the U.S., marking one of the most significant sunscreen developments in decades.

Here's why dermatologists and skincare experts are so excited.

What Is Bemotrizinol?

Bemotrizinol is a modern UV filter that has been widely used in many European and Asian sunscreens for years.

It's known for providing:

• Broad-spectrum UV protection
• Excellent UVA coverage
• High photostability (meaning it remains effective when exposed to sunlight)
• A lightweight, elegant feel on the skin

Because of these qualities, bemotrizinol has become a popular ingredient in many well-loved international sunscreen formulas.

Why Is This Such Big News?

The approval of bemotrizinol is significant because it's the first new sunscreen filter approved in the United States in more than 30 years.

For decades, U.S. sunscreen manufacturers have had access to fewer UV filters than companies in many other parts of the world.

This approval opens the door for newer sunscreen formulations that many consumers have previously only been able to purchase overseas.

Why Do People Love Korean and European Sunscreens?

Many Korean and European sunscreens have earned loyal followings because they often feel lighter and more comfortable than older sunscreen formulations.

People frequently describe them as:

• Lightweight
• Smooth
• Easy to blend
• Less greasy
• More comfortable for everyday wear

While the overall formulation contributes to this experience, modern UV filters like bemotrizinol have helped make these elegant textures possible.

Better UVA Protection

Another important advantage of bemotrizinol is its ability to provide strong UVA protection.

While UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn, UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to:

• Premature skin aging
• Wrinkles
• Hyperpigmentation
• DNA damage
• Increased skin cancer risk

Broad-spectrum sunscreens help protect against both UVA and UVB radiation, making comprehensive UV coverage an important part of daily sun protection.

When Will Products Be Available?

Although the filter has been approved, consumers may need to wait a little longer before seeing products on store shelves.

Manufacturers still need time to formulate, produce, and distribute sunscreens containing bemotrizinol, so availability will increase gradually as new products launch.

Does This Mean Current Sunscreens Aren't Good?

Not at all.

Many sunscreens currently sold in the United States provide excellent protection when they're:

• Broad-spectrum
• SPF 30 or higher
• Applied generously
• Reapplied as directed

The arrival of bemotrizinol simply gives manufacturers another high-quality option that may improve both cosmetic feel and UV protection in future formulations.

The Bottom Line

The approval of bemotrizinol (BEMT) represents one of the biggest advances in U.S. sunscreen technology in decades.

In addition to providing broad-spectrum UV protection, this filter is known for helping create lightweight, cosmetically elegant sunscreens that many people enjoy wearing every day.

And that's ultimately the most important goal: finding a sunscreen you'll use consistently. Because regardless of the formula, the best sunscreen is the one you apply every single day.

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Want the transcript for this video instead?  

For those who love these Korean sunscreens, it's coming. Big news in the world of sunscreen, (0:07) the FDA has finally approved a new SPF filter in the United States and it's called BEMOTRIZINOL (0:14) or B-E-M-T for short. Now don't get too excited because it will not hit shelves in the United (0:20) States until early August.
I'm Dr. Schneider, I'm a board certified dermatologist and a skin (0:26) cancer surgeon, so as you can imagine, sunscreen is pretty important to me. This news is so big (0:32) because now you don't need to go to Europe to get SPF with this filter in it or to Asia to get your (0:42) favorite Korean brands that have this filter in it because in August we're going to have it here in (0:47) the United States. Why is this filter so interesting? It's the first filter that's (0:52) been approved in the United States in over 30 years, since the 90s and it has great cosmetic (0:59) elegance.
It's what gives these Korean and European sunscreens that smooth feel that (1:06) blends right in. The other beautiful thing about this filter is it provides better UV protection (1:13) so it gives us broader UVA coverage. For sure I will let you know when products start hitting (1:19) the shelves.
Make sure that you are following along so that as developments unfold you hear (1:24) about it first and drop your sunscreen questions. I'm here for you.