The ingredient also shows very low absorption through the skin and rarely causes irritation, the agency says.
If the FDA finalizes its plan, bemotrizinol would become the first new active sunscreen ingredient allowed on the U.S. market in decades. The new ingredient gives adults and children 6 months and older access to a much-needed non-mineral option with stronger UVA protection.
Call for safer sunscreens
For more than 20 years, the Environmental Working Group has pushed the FDA and the industry to bring safer, more effective sunscreen ingredients to U.S. consumers.
EWG has documented the shortcomings of many sunscreens sold in the U.S. The organization has also long urged the adoption of modern ingredients used widely in Europe and elsewhere that offer better, more reliable protection against the risks of sun exposure.
“For years, Americans have been denied access to sunscreen ingredients that offer stronger UVA protection with fewer health concerns. Approving bemotrizinol would finally begin to close the gap between U.S. consumers and the rest of the world,” he added.
Bemotrizinol is already widely used in sunscreens around the world, but it has never been approved for use in the U.S. Today’s proposed order responds to a request from its manufacturer, DSM Nutritional Products, to allow concentrations up to 6%.
“The FDA’s proposal is a major step toward aligning U.S. sunscreen availability with public health science. Today’s announcement also shows that it’s possible to conduct the necessary studies to show that filters are both safe and effective,” she added.
Guide to Sunscreens
Most top-scoring sunscreen products in the guide, and those EWG recommends, are mineral sunscreens formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These mineral-based sunscreens remain top choices.
And now bemotrizinol improves the variety of options available for use in non-mineral sunscreen products.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
