Federal health regulators have signed off on the first new sunscreen ingredient for the U.S. market in more than 25 years.

Federal health regulators on Tuesday signed off on the first new sunscreen ingredient for the U.S. market in more than 25 years, giving Americans access to a skin-protecting chemical long used in Europe and other parts of the world.

The Food and Drug Administration says the ingredient, bemotrizinol, met the agency’s standards for protecting from dangerous ultraviolet rays while causing little irritation or absorption into the skin. The ingredient is safe for adults and children 6 months and older, the agency stated in a release.

Bemotrizinol will initially be sold in the U.S. by the Dutch manufacturer DSM Nutritional Products under the brand name Parsol Shield, which is expected to launch later in the year. After an 18-month exclusivity period, the ingredient will be available for use by other manufacturers.

  • velma@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    0·
    27 days ago

    It’s impossible to draw “a clear line in the sand” on whether certain sunscreen ingredients are completely healthy for people or not, Addae says. But she adds that evidence has emerged that has given researchers some insight into how sunscreen filters generally interact with our bodies. Chemically, BEMT has larger chromophores—light-absorbing molecules—than other organic filters, which makes them less of a concern for adverse biological interactions, Addae says. In pharmacology and dermatology, researchers use the “500 dalton rule” in which molecules with a molecular weight of more than 500 daltons are usually too large and bulky to pass through the skin.

    There’s a lot of information about this ingredient out there since it’s been used outside of the US for decades now.

    I’d rather risk using sunscreen than risk sun exposure.

      • velma@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        1·
        27 days ago

        I didn’t say they were.

        Regardless of how you feel about the FDA, this is a good step in the right direction. Our sunscreen options aren’t very good comparatively and this will help improve skin protection.

        No one is forcing you to use this type of sunscreen.

        • teyrnon@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          01·
          26 days ago

          I am saying we should get some independent analysis of this before accepting it’s safe because governments said it was. But what do I know.

          • velma@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
            1·
            26 days ago

            No, you are pushing that this particular ingredient is an endocrine disruptor and that even though it’s been in use for decades, because the FDA approved it, no one should trust it.

                • teyrnon@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                  01·
                  26 days ago

                  You are demanding others accede to your opinions with only government data to back you up.

                  I don’t use the stupid sunscreen, so it’s not my work, if anything, you are the one working here, to hype a corporate interest?

                  • velma@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
                    2·
                    26 days ago

                    I am specifically pushing back against your assertion that this ingredient is an endocrine disruptor and should be avoided.

                    I have no vested interest in anything besides better access to health aids and cancer reduction.

                    I just don’t like pseudo-science conspiracy theories being pushed for no apparent reason and with no apparent evidence.

        • teyrnon@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          01·
          26 days ago

          As if endocrine disruptors are the only types of sunscreen? Your argument is flawed, and I reject it.