A Better Sunscreen Is Coming — but Not Until August

Written byDr. Genevieve R. Ashford, MD — Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery

Reviewed byDr. Aditi Menon, MD (Dermatology and Cosmetology)

Last Updated Jun 18, 2026

For the first time in about two decades, the FDA has cleared a new sunscreen ingredient for the US market — one experts say offers stronger protection against the ultraviolet rays most tied to skin aging and cancer. The catch: it won’t reach store shelves until August, so the useful question right now is what it changes, and what to do for your skin this summer in the meantime.

ℹ️ Medical disclaimer: This is general health information, not personalized medical advice. It does not diagnose any condition or recommend a specific product or treatment for you. For guidance on your skin cancer risk, sun protection for a specific skin condition, or sunscreen choices for young children, consult a dermatologist or your clinician.

What actually changed

On June 9, 2026, the FDA added an ingredient called bemotrizinol to its list of approved over-the-counter sunscreen actives — the first new sunscreen filter added in the US since the late 1990s, according to the agency’s announcement.

It’s approved at concentrations up to 6% for adults and children 6 months and older. Bemotrizinol isn’t experimental: it has been used in sunscreens across Europe and Australia for years, often under names like Tinosorb S.

There’s one practical limit worth knowing. Manufacturers can’t put bemotrizinol into US products until August 9, 2026 — so the sunscreen already in your bag is what you’ll be using for the heart of this summer.

Why UVA protection is the real story

To understand why dermatologists are paying attention, it helps to separate the two kinds of ultraviolet light. UVB rays cause sunburn. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, drive much of the wrinkling and dark spots we think of as photoaging, and contribute to skin cancer risk.

Here’s the gap bemotrizinol is meant to close. American sunscreens are generally good at preventing sunburn, but they’ve lagged on UVA. A peer-reviewed laboratory analysis of 51 US sunscreens, published in Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, found the average product delivered only about a quarter of the UVA protection its SPF number implied.

Part of the reason is simply fewer tools. The Environmental Working Group notes the US has approved 16 UV filters, compared with 34 in the European Union. Bemotrizinol is a photostable UVA filter that can be paired with zinc oxide for broad protection with less of the white cast mineral sunscreens tend to leave behind.

It’s also a reminder that chasing a bigger SPF number misses the point. An SPF 50 blocks roughly 98% of UVB rays and an SPF 100 about 99% — a negligible difference — and neither figure tells you much about UVA coverage.

What to do this summer

The honest takeaway isn’t that your current sunscreen is useless — it’s that using it well matters more than waiting for a new one.

The strongest evidence for sunscreen comes from the Nambour trial in Australia, a randomized study. Adults assigned to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily later developed about half as many melanomas as those who used it at their own discretion, according to follow-up published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The same trial found daily use reduced squamous cell carcinoma by about 38%. That benefit comes from consistent, correct use, not from any single ingredient.

So for now: choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30, apply more than you think you need, and reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Pair it with shade and clothing during the strongest midday sun.

This matters because skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates about 112,000 new invasive melanomas and roughly 8,510 melanoma deaths in 2026 — and much of that risk traces back to UV exposure that sun protection can reduce.

When bemotrizinol products do arrive later this year, they’ll be a useful addition. They won’t replace the basics that already protect you.

A specific next step: at your next visit, ask a dermatologist whether your skin type and personal or family history of skin cancer warrant a sunscreen with stronger UVA protection — and when you’re due for a full-body skin check.

For more on protecting yourself, see our guides to the early warning signs of melanoma and how to apply sunscreen so it actually works.

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Written byView profile

Dr. Genevieve R. Ashford, MD — Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery

Medical research, drafting and patient education content

Board Certifications: Dermatology (2011); Cosmetic Surgery (2014); Mohs Surgery (2013) Experience: 14 years | Location: Miami, Florida Education: BS Biology, University of Florida (2003); MD, University of Miami…

Reviewed byView profile

Dr. Aditi Menon, MD (Dermatology and Cosmetology)

Clinical accuracy, evidence review and medical safety checks

Board Certifications: Dermatology (2012); Aesthetic Medicine (2015); Laser Surgery (2016) Experience: 13 years | Location: Hyderabad, India Education: MBBS, Osmania Medical College (2009); MD Dermatology, JIPMER Puducherry (2012);…

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