Save this story Save Story Save this story I’ve been spoiled. After traveling extensively to South Korea over the past few years—including living there for months at a time—I’ve grown accustomed to sunscreen formulas that spread easily and feel like second skin. Frankly, I developed a blind spot when it came to American SPF complaints. Chalky textures, greasy finishes, and white casts that leave you looking like a ghost? It all sounded a touch dramatic… until I ran out of my Korean stash.
After months of rotating through American formulas that make me want to wash my face the second I apply them, consider me humbled. Finding a Goldilocks SPF isn’t always so simple stateside—and I get why so many people are reluctant to apply sun protection daily.
Fortunately, the American sunscreen aisle is finally getting a refresh that may start to give international formulas a run for their money. It might just appease critics like me, too. In June, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added bemotrizinol to its list of permitted sunscreen active ingredients, giving U.S. brands the chance to update their formulas with a filter that’s been used in other markets including Europe, Asia, and Australia for years. The first of the updated products are now starting to roll out—and I’m hopeful that they’ll tide me over until my next trip to Seoul.
Bemotrizinol (a.k.a. BEMT) is a broad-spectrum chemical filter that absorbs both UVA and UVB rays. (UVA rays contribute to premature skin aging and also play a role in skin cancer, while UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn.) It’s photostable, meaning it holds up well when exposed to sunlight, and pairs well with other chemical and mineral filters. Derms prize it not just for its lightweight texture but also its low potential for irritation and general suitability for those with sensitive skin, including conditions like eczema and rosacea .
While bemotrizinol isn’t guaranteed to yield a superior sunscreen—wearability ultimately comes down to the specific combination of ingredients at hand—it’s a highly regarded tool used in countless formulas that people don’t balk at applying.
And it’s been a long time coming. Manufacturers and nonprofit organizations have been trying to get bemotrizinol approved for nearly two decades, trudging uphill against an archaic system. The FDA classifies sunscreen not as a cosmetic but a drug. This requires more time and testing to get sunscreens on shelves, creating friction while limiting innovation. (For reference, the last sunscreen filter was approved way back in 1999.) We’re well behind leading beauty and grooming markets worldwide, who have far more filters to work with that drive their elegant SPF options. Bemotrizinol’s arrival doesn’t magically bring the American sunscreen industry up to speed overnight, but it does give formulators a worthy ingredient to work with.
At long last, we’re seeing some overdue SPF innovation. Following BEMT’s June approval, the first wave of formulas is starting to hit the market.
Aussie brand Ultra Violette launched its Unblock Screen SPF 50 in September, pairing bemotrizinol with zinc oxide in a mattifying formula geared for oily and acne-prone skin. Neutrogena is also early to the game with two bemotrizinol products designed for an invisible application and a cloud-like feel. The Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 70 is paired alongside three other chemical filters and geared for most skin types, while the Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60 includes those same chemical filters but adds niacinamide in an acne-safe formula. French drugstore favorite La Roche-Posay is also in the mix: Anthelios UVDefense Sunscreen SPF 50 is its first bemotrizinol sunscreen for the U.S. market. The invisible, hydrating formula employs four additional chemical filters, offers 16-hour antioxidant defense, and is suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Neutrogena
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Ultra Violette
Keep an eye on this space, as more SPFs using BEMT are imminent from legacy and indie brands alike. It’s worth giving them a try—namely if you don’t wear sunscreen to begin with, have struggled to find one that you actually enjoy wearing, or are used to hoarding foreign sunscreens on your trips abroad.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Neutrogena
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist La Roche-Posay
The bottom line? Bemotrizinol won’t single-handedly solve American sunscreen woes, but it could help bring more comfortable, wearable formulas to shelves. This is something to embrace, especially if it’s hard to rally behind any SPFs you’ve tried in recent memory. The best sunscreens are ultimately the ones that look and feel good enough to apply daily—and you just might find that the new crop of BEMT formulas ticks both of these boxes.
10 Ways to Build Muscle as Fast as Humanly Possible
What Is HDL Cholesterol and How Do You Raise It?
How to Catch Up on Sleep the Right Way , According to Experts
Matt Damon Did a Gut Cleanse to Prepare for The Odyssey —Should You Try One?
Not a subscriber? Join GQ to receive full access to GQ.com.
Source: Celebrities
0 Comments