As kids head back to school, there is still plenty of time for summer fun outdoors, and sun protection remains as important as ever. Parents will soon have a new sunscreen option after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved bemotrizinol in June. It is the first new active sunscreen ingredient in the U.S. in more than two decades, and it’s approved for use in children as young as 6 months.

Joyce Teng, MD, PhD, chief of Pediatric Dermatology at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, explains what the new ingredient is, what the research shows, and why it may offer advantages for some children.

What is bemotrizinol?

Sunscreens shield your skin from two main types of ultraviolet (UV) rays: ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA). In most cases, UVB can cause sunburn, while UVA reaches deeper into the skin and can contribute to premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. Protection against both is known as broad-spectrum coverage. For years, sunscreens in the U.S. mainly provide UVB protection but have fallen short on UVA.

“There traditionally hasn’t been a sunscreen with effective UVA filter available in the U.S.,” said Dr. Teng. “Bemotrizinol is a much more effective UVA filter than filters in sunscreen that are currently available. It fills a gap that has been there for a long time.”

Bemotrizinol is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides broad-spectrum protection by absorbing UV rays, rather than primarily deflecting UV rays like mineral sunscreens. Although the ingredient is new to consumers in the U.S., it has been used in Europe, Australia, and Asia for years. It has taken longer to become available in the U.S. because sunscreens are regulated like medications in the U.S.

Why it matters for kids

According to data reviewed by the FDA, one of the biggest advantages of bemotrizinol is that very little appears to be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. That sets it apart from some older chemical sunscreen ingredients, which raised questions after studies detected trace amounts in the bloodstream. The health effects of such exposure are still unclear, but it is something researchers monitor closely.

“Minimal absorption of sunscreen through skin provides reassurance especially in children,” said Dr. Teng. “As young children have higher skin surface area relative to their body weight than adults. So, if a sunscreen ingredient is absorbed through the skin, that can result in a higher concentration in bloodstream among children.”

Dr. Teng adds that bemotrizinol also holds up well once it is on the skin and is more photostable than many older chemical sunscreen filters, meaning it does not break down as quickly in sunlight. Its stability may prolong its UV protective effects, but children still need to have sunscreen reapplied at least every two hours, especially when they are active, sweating, or in the water.

A sunscreen that children may be more willing to wear

Parents of children with sensitive skin have long relied on mineral sunscreens that use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, ingredients that are gentle on the skin but not always easy to get a child to wear.

“Physical (mineral) sunscreen can be thick and hard to rub in, and it can feel cakey and leave a white film that many kids dislike,” said Dr. Teng. “As pediatric dermatologists, we know most kids don’t apply nearly enough, and they end up with only a fraction of the SPF protection that is listed on the label.”

Bemotrizinol goes on clear, without the chalky finish like some of the mineral sunscreens, and works well across a full range of skin tones. It has also been shown to be less irritating, which is not typical of chemical filters, making it suitable for children with sensitive skin.

“For children with sensitive skin, a sunscreen that makes their skin itch or burn is not one they are going to use,” said Dr. Teng. “Bemotrizinol offers a gentler chemical alternative to mineral sunscreens, and having another option they will actually wear tilts the scale towards protection.”

Children who are better protected from the sun over time have healthier skin, less sun damage, and a lower risk of skin cancer later in life.

Sun safety tips

Products containing bemotrizinol are expected to reach store shelves later this year or early next year. When the products arrive, Dr. Teng says, parents can look for bemotrizinol in the list of active ingredients. Until then, the best sunscreen is the one your family will use consistently.

Dr. Teng’s sun safety tips for protecting children from the sun:

• Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin: Approximately 1 ounce of sunscreen is needed for older children/adolescent to cover exposed areas.
• Apply sunscreen to dry skin about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors.
• Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, or more often after swimming or sweating.
• When feasible, wear a hat with a wide brim and tightly woven clothing that covers most of your skin, as well as sunglasses.

For more tips on everyday sun protection for your family, visit the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health sunscreens page.