A New Sunscreen Ingredient Could Bring Better Sun Protection for Kids

Protecting children from the sun is one of the simplest and most important ways families can support lifelong skin health. As most parents already know, sunscreen plays a big role in keeping kids safe outdoors, but a recent development could mean even better sunscreen options are on the horizon.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen active ingredient approved by the FDA in more than 20 years. 

“While this ingredient has been used safely in many countries for decades, its approval in the United States is exciting news because the addition of bemotrizinol allows access to more effective, family friendly sun protection products,” says pediatrician Kimberly Brown, MD, with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, part of Jefferson Health.

Sun damage doesn't start in adulthood – it starts in childhood. In fact, children accumulate a significant amount of their lifetime sun exposure before they reach adulthood, and research shows that UV damage during childhood can increase the risk for skin cancer later in life.

That's why pediatricians encourage sun protection every day – not just during summer vacations or trips to the beach, but anytime kids spend time outdoors.

The approval of bemotrizinol may give families more sunscreen options that provide excellent protection while feeling better on the skin. And when sunscreen is easier and more pleasant to use, families are more likely to use it consistently.

After all, the best sunscreen is the one that is highly effective and actually gets applied.

Bemotrizinol is a broad-spectrum UV filter, which means it helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The difference?

• UVA rays increase risk for melanoma as well as contribute to skin aging and long-term skin damage.
• UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn and play a major role in the development of skin cancer, increasing the risk for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.

By blocking both types of ultraviolet radiation, bemotrizinol helps provide comprehensive sun protection. 

While new to the U.S., bemotrizinol has a long history of safe use internationally and is approved for adults and children 6 months of age and older at concentrations up to 6%.

One of bemotrizinol's biggest advantages is something called photostability – a term that simply means it remains stable and effective when exposed to sunlight.

Some sunscreen ingredients can break down over time in the sun, reducing their effectiveness. Bemotrizinol is different because it remains highly stable even after UV exposure.

For kids who spend hours swimming, playing sports, attending camp, or simply enjoying time outside, that stability helps support reliable protection throughout the day.

Of course, sunscreen should still be applied and reapplied according to package directions, but ingredients that maintain their effectiveness in sunlight can help provide consistent protection during outdoor activities.

Let's be honest – getting kids excited about putting on sunscreen isn't always easy, and often comes with complaints like:

• “It's too sticky.”
• “It feels greasy.”
• “It stings.”
• “It won't rub in.”
• “It’s leaving a white layer on my skin.”

Because bemotrizinol is such an effective UV filter, it gives manufacturers more flexibility when designing sunscreen formulas. That could lead to products that feel lighter, spread more easily, and leave less residue on the skin.

And that's important because when sunscreen feels better, people are more likely to use it regularly. And consistent use is one of the most effective ways to prevent sun damage.

From a pediatric and preventive health perspective, bemotrizinol's safety profile is encouraging.

“The FDA reviewed extensive safety data before concluding that bemotrizinol is generally recognized as safe and effective for use in adults and children 6 months of age and older,” Dr. Brown says. “The data included evidence of low systemic absorption, meaning very little of the ingredient enters the bloodstream through the skin.”

For further reassurance, the ingredient has been used in other countries for many years, providing a substantial real-world track record of safe use.

The approval of bemotrizinol is a welcome step forward for sun protection in the United States. Although the ingredient has been used internationally for years, its arrival in the U.S. gives manufacturers access to a highly effective, broad-spectrum UV filter with a strong safety record and excellent stability in sunlight.

Most importantly, it may help create sunscreen products that families actually enjoy using. And when kids wear sunscreen consistently, they're better protected from the UV damage that can build up over a lifetime.

As these new products make their way to store shelves – as early as the end of 2026 – parents can look forward to even more options for making sun safety a simple and effective part of their family's daily routine.