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WHAT IS BEMT SUNSCREEN?

Meet BEMT (bemotrizinol), a new sunscreen active ingredient in the U.S. that delivers durable, broad-spectrum UVA + UVB protection.

BEMT bemotrizinol broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen protection
BEMT, also known as bemotrizinol, is a photostable sunscreen active ingredient that provides protection across UVA and UVB wavelengths.

WHAT IS BEMT?

BEMT, short for bemotrizinol, is a sunscreen active ingredient that helps protect skin from both UVA and UVB radiation.

You may not recognize the name yet, but BEMT is likely to become much more familiar to American sunscreen users. In 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration added bemotrizinol to the list of permitted sunscreen active ingredients, making it the first new sunscreen active ingredient added in the United States in decades.

BEMT has already been used in sunscreens in Europe and other countries around the world. Its arrival in the U.S. gives sunscreen formulators another tool for developing modern broad-spectrum sun protection.

WHY DOES BEMT MATTER?

Sunscreen isn't only about preventing a visible sunburn. Effective sun protection needs to address different types of ultraviolet radiation.

UVB rays are primarily associated with sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to premature skin aging and long-term skin damage.

That's why broad-spectrum protection matters. BEMT provides UV protection across both the UVA and UVB ranges, making it useful in broad-spectrum sunscreen formulations.

For people who spend hours outside — whether you're playing golf, tennis, running, training, swimming or simply enjoying the outdoors — the technology behind your sunscreen matters.

WHAT DOES PHOTOSTABLE SUNSCREEN MEAN?

One of the most important characteristics of BEMT is its photostability.

That sounds technical, but the idea is actually pretty simple. Sunscreen ingredients are exposed to intense ultraviolet radiation whenever you're outside. A photostable UV filter is able to remain stable when exposed to sunlight.

BEMT is considered highly photostable, which makes it particularly useful when developing sunscreen designed for broad-spectrum UV protection.

Photostability does not mean you can apply sunscreen once and forget about it. Sunscreen still needs to be applied and reapplied according to the directions on the product, particularly when you're swimming, sweating or spending extended periods outdoors.

BEMT AND PERFORMANCE SUNSCREEN

At WearSPF, we think about sunscreen from the perspective of people who actually spend hours performing outside.

Think about what your sunscreen experiences during 18 holes of golf, a long tennis match, a morning run or an afternoon on the water: hours of sunlight, increasing UV exposure, heat, sweat, water, friction and repeated movement.

That's what we mean by Performance Sunscreen.

It starts with broad-spectrum sun protection, but performance also means thinking about water resistance, wearability, reapplication and the sunscreen technology behind the formula.

BEMT represents another advancement available to sunscreen formulators developing products around those demands.

IS BEMT A MINERAL SUNSCREEN INGREDIENT?

No. BEMT is an organic sunscreen active ingredient, sometimes referred to by consumers as a chemical sunscreen filter.

Mineral sunscreens use active ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. BEMT works differently, but it can also provide protection across UVA and UVB wavelengths.

One isn't automatically right for everyone. Some people prefer mineral sunscreen, while others prefer non-mineral or hybrid sunscreen formulas.

What matters most is choosing broad-spectrum protection appropriate for your activity and using it correctly.

BEMT VS. ZINC OXIDE: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Both BEMT and zinc oxide can be used in sunscreens designed to provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, but they are different types of sunscreen active ingredients.

Zinc oxide is a mineral sunscreen active ingredient. BEMT is an organic UV filter.

Rather than focusing on whether one individual ingredient is "better," it's useful to look at the sunscreen as a complete formula. SPF, broad-spectrum protection, water resistance, application, feel and how you plan to use the product all matter.

WHY SUNSCREEN TECHNOLOGY MATTERS FOR ATHLETES

Athletes ask a lot from their equipment. Sunscreen should be no different.

A golfer may spend four or five hours on the course. A tennis player can compete through the strongest UV hours of the day. Runners, swimmers and outdoor athletes may deal with a combination of direct sunlight, sweat, water and heat.

When choosing sunscreen for sports and extended outdoor activity, look for:

  • Broad-Spectrum Protection: Protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.
  • SPF: Choose an SPF appropriate for your expected sun exposure and activity.
  • Water Resistance: Particularly important when swimming, sweating or exercising outdoors.
  • Wearability: Sunscreen only works when you actually use enough of it.
  • Easy Reapplication: Outdoor athletes need to be able to reapply protection throughout the day.

Modern UV filters like BEMT give sunscreen formulators another option when building products around these performance demands.

BEMT SUNSCREEN FAQ'S

BEMT is short for bemotrizinol, an organic sunscreen active ingredient that provides broad-spectrum protection across UVA and UVB wavelengths. It is also known internationally as bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine.

Yes. BEMT is the commonly used abbreviation for bemotrizinol. When you hear BEMT sunscreen or bemotrizinol sunscreen, they are referring to the same sunscreen active ingredient.

In 2026, the FDA added bemotrizinol to the OTC sunscreen monograph as a permitted sunscreen active ingredient at concentrations up to 6%. It was the first new sunscreen active ingredient added to the U.S. OTC sunscreen monograph since the late 1990s.

BEMT is new to permitted OTC sunscreen formulations in the United States, but the ingredient itself is not new. Bemotrizinol has been marketed as a sunscreen ingredient in Europe and many other countries for years.

Yes. BEMT provides UV protection across both the UVA and UVB ranges, which makes it useful in broad-spectrum sunscreen formulations.

BEMT is an organic UV filter, often described by consumers as a chemical sunscreen ingredient. It is different from mineral sunscreen active ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Photostability describes how well a sunscreen ingredient remains stable when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. BEMT is considered highly photostable, meaning the UV filter itself remains stable during exposure to sunlight.

Yes. Photostability does not eliminate the need to reapply sunscreen. Sunscreen can be affected by swimming, sweating, toweling and normal wear. Always follow the application and reapplication directions on the sunscreen label.

BEMT and zinc oxide are different sunscreen active ingredients, and both can be used in broad-spectrum sunscreen formulations. Instead of judging sunscreen by one active ingredient alone, consider the complete formula, including SPF, broad-spectrum protection, water resistance, application and how you plan to use it.

BEMT and avobenzone are different organic UV filters. Avobenzone is primarily used for UVA protection, while BEMT provides coverage across both UVA and UVB wavelengths. Sunscreen formulas may use combinations of UV filters to achieve their desired SPF and broad-spectrum protection.

BEMT's broad-spectrum UV coverage and high photostability make it an interesting sunscreen active ingredient for performance-oriented formulations. For sports, however, you should evaluate the complete sunscreen product, including SPF, broad-spectrum protection, water resistance, feel and ease of reapplication.

Look beyond the ingredient list. Choose a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection, an appropriate SPF, water resistance when needed and a formula you will apply generously and reapply as directed.

BEMT was added as a permitted U.S. sunscreen active ingredient in 2026, so consumers should expect to see new sunscreen products containing bemotrizinol enter the U.S. market as manufacturers develop and launch new formulations.

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