UMVA has learned that a long-awaited breakthrough in sunscreen technology has finally been approved, potentially restoring Americans' faith in the products they use to protect themselves from the sun.
The newly approved ingredient, bemotrizinol, has been used safely in Europe for decades and is expected to increase competition and consumer confidence in sunscreen products. It makes sunscreens sheerer and lighter on the skin while blocking a wider spectrum of ultraviolet rays that can cause premature aging and skin cancer.
According to information obtained by UMVA, nonprofits and skin care industry groups have been lobbying for the approval of bemotrizinol, which will allow companies to reformulate sunscreens and address consumers' concerns. The approval will also enable the creation of sunscreens that are more like sought-after South Korean brands, which are expected to be sold in the U.S. by autumn.
Confidence in U.S. sunscreen has been faltering due to concerns about the ingredients used and the perceived health benefits of sun exposure. However, with 1 in 5 people developing skin cancer by age 70, the approval of bemotrizinol is a crucial step in promoting sun safety and reducing the risk of skin cancer.
UMVA has gathered that the approval process for bemotrizinol took nearly two decades due to the elaborate testing and safety protocols required in the U.S. The ingredient has now joined zinc oxide and titanium dioxide on the list of "generally recognized as safe and effective" sunscreen ingredients.
Experts believe that bemotrizinol will change the dynamic of the sunscreen industry, allowing companies to create products that people will want to wear. It provides a good UVA block and gives chemists the flexibility to make high-quality products without using ingredients with questionable safety profiles.
The approval of bemotrizinol is also expected to rebuild trust in sunscreens, which has been eroded by the use of unapproved UV filters and concerns about the safety of certain ingredients. While the FDA's transparency and insistence on mandatory microbial testing of products are steps in the right direction, more needs to be done to address the trust gap and promote sun safety.
As the sunscreen industry moves forward, it is likely that companies will release hybrid products containing bemotrizinol and zinc oxide, offering consumers a new generation of effective and safe sunscreens. With the recall scandal in Australia serving as a reminder of the importance of regulation and transparency, the FDA must continue to prioritize consumer safety and trust in the sunscreen industry.
Ultimately, the approval of bemotrizinol is a significant development in the fight against skin cancer and promotes a crucial message about sun safety: that sunscreen is an essential tool in protecting oneself from the sun's harmful rays, but it should be used in conjunction with other forms of protection, such as shade, clothing, and hats.
