Is bemotrizinol safe? A new sunscreen filter explained
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The bottom line
Bemotrizinol is a new chemical sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. It is not absorbed into the body, rarely causes skin irritation, is photostable and does not degrade in sunlight, and is transparent so it does not leave a white color on the skin. Allergic reactions are possible. The brand name is Parsol Shield. It is approved for adults and children 6 months of age and older.
Prevention tips
Store bemotrizinol sunscreen up, away, and out of reach of children.
Read the product label and use as directed.
Do not use it for children under 6 months of age.
Do not use it on broken or damaged skin.
Store in a cool, dry location away from excessive heat and direct sun.
Limit time in direct sunlight, especially midday when the sun is strongest.
Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and sunglasses in the sun.
This really happened
A 37-year-old woman applied a sunscreen containing bemotrizinol. Six hours later, she developed red, inflamed skin as well as a peeling, flaking rash on her face, neck, chest, and forearms. She experienced an itchy sensation. She applied a topical corticosteroid and the lesions disappeared within a week. Patch testing showed a positive reaction to bemotrizinol. The diagnosis was bemotrizinol-induced allergic contact dermatitis (from Badaoui, 2024).
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What is bemotrizinol?
Bemotrizinol is a chemical ultraviolet (UV) filter that blocks both UVA rays and UVB rays. UVA rays cause skin aging and skin cancer, and UVB rays cause sunburn. It remains stable when exposed directly to sun and stays mostly on the skin surface. It is not absorbed into the body. Bemotrizinol is used in sunscreens (brand name Parsol Shield) and is expected to be available the US in late 2026.
Is bemotrizinol safe?
Yes, bemotrizinol is safe to use for most people. It stays on the skin and very little is absorbed into the body. In addition, laboratory studies have not found that it causes tumors, harms a developing fetus, or contributes to hormonal activity. Since it rarely causes skin irritation, it is usually tolerated by people with sensitive skin. Allergic reactions are possible, including skin rash, itching, bumps, wheezing, swelling of the face and throat, nausea, dizziness, and lightheadedness.
Have questions about bemotrizinol or sunscreen?
If you think you are having an allergic reaction, stop using the product. If symptoms are severe, seek medical attention immediately.
Get expert help
If someone swallows sunscreen containing bemotrizinol, gets it in the eyes, or if you have a question about using bemotrizinol safely, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
How is bemotrizinol different from other sunscreen ingredients?
Bemotrizinol does not break down when exposed to sunlight. Other chemical filters such as avobenzone degrade quickly in sunlight. In fact, bemotrizinol can prevent other chemical sunscreen filters from breaking down if it is formulated with them.
Bemotrizinol blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Most other sunscreens require multiple ingredients to cover both rays. It has low skin penetration and is transparent so does not leave a white color on the skin like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide does.
Is bemotrizinol safe for children?
Yes, bemotrizinol is safe for children. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that concentrations up to 6% are safe and effective for adults and children 6 months of age and older.
What happens if a child swallows sunscreen with bemotrizinol?
Bemotrizinol is considered nontoxic. If ingested, it will not be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the body due to the large size of its molecules. Because the formulation includes lotion or cream, which can irritate the digestive tract, it may cause an upset stomach, nausea, and possibly vomiting or loose stools. While bemotrizinol is considered safe, other ingredients in sunscreen may be toxic in large amounts.
What to do if sunscreen gets in your eyes or is swallowed
If the sunscreen is swallowed, wipe out the mouth with a soft, wet cloth. Give the person some water to drink to rinse out the bitter taste. If you get it in your eyes, rinse your eyes with water for 10–15 minutes.