| Beauty
✨ Let’s get into it ✨
⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
The FDA hasn't approved a new UV filter in over 25 years, but Neutrogena just changed the game. You can finally snag high-tech BEMT protection at drugstore prices without that annoying white cast!
Neutrogena just became the first drugstore brand to drop formulas featuring bemotrizinol (BEMT), and honestly, we’re obsessed. This isn’t just some random ingredient update; it is the first new UV filter the FDA has approved for use in the U.S. in over 25 years. While Ultra Violette beat them to the punch earlier this month, Neutrogena is making this high-tech protection accessible to everyone without the luxury price tag.
The Science Of Better Protection
The news officially broke when the FDA cleared BEMT on June 10, allowing it to finally hit American shelves starting August 9. If you have traveled to Europe or Asia lately, you might have already used this filter, but now we can get it at our local pharmacy. According to cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos, the magic lies in how the ingredient performs under pressure. “It absorbs efficiently across both UVA and UVB wavelengths, is highly photostable and can help stabilize other filters,” Dobos explained. This means brands can build high-SPF products without that heavy, chalky zinc oxide white cast.
💫 “It absorbs efficiently across both UVA and UVB wavelengths, is highly photostable and can help stabilize other filters,”
Two New Ways To Glow
You can actually grab these on Amazon right now before they physically hit store shelves next month. Neutrogena is launching two distinct vibes depending on your skin type: the Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60 ($19) and the Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 70 ($19). Both are infused with nourishing vitamin E for that extra boost. If you struggle with breakouts, the oil-free Clear Face version includes niacinamide to help refine pores while mattifying your look. For those who want maximum coverage, the Ultra Sheer Daily version uses peptides to keep the formula feeling remarkably light despite the high SPF 70 rating.
Even though Omaha, NE dermatologist Daniel Schlessinger, MD, notes that BEMT isn’t quite potent enough to stand alone and will likely be paired with “old” favorites like avobenzone or homosalate, it is still a massive upgrade for our daily routines. For example, Neutrogena’s own Ultra Sheer Daily SPF 70 pairs BEMT with both avobenzone and homosalate to get the job done. It’s giving us the best of both worlds: advanced science and drugstore prices. Consider your SPF cabinets officially upgraded.
Are you more of a matte finish girlie or do you prefer a dewy, sheer glow?
❓ People Also Ask
What is BEMT and why is it significant for sunscreens?
Bemotrizinol, also known as BEMT, is the first new UV filter approved by the FDA for use in the United States in over 25 years. This advanced ingredient is highly significant because it absorbs efficiently across both UVA and UVB wavelengths while remaining highly photostable. It can also help stabilize other sunscreen filters in a formula. This allows brands to create high-SPF products that avoid the heavy, chalky white cast often associated with traditional zinc oxide.
How do Neutrogena's new BEMT sunscreens differ in their formulations?
Neutrogena is launching two distinct formulas designed for different skin needs and preferences. The Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60 is an oil-free option that includes niacinamide to help refine pores and provide a mattifying effect for those prone to breakouts. In contrast, the Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 70 uses peptides to ensure the formula feels remarkably light on the skin. Both new products are infused with nourishing vitamin E to provide an extra boost to your daily skincare routine.
When can consumers purchase Neutrogena's new BEMT sunscreen products?
Consumers can purchase Neutrogena's new BEMT-infused sunscreens on Amazon right now before they arrive in physical retail stores. While the products are currently available online, they are scheduled to officially hit physical drugstore shelves starting August 9. This rollout follows the FDA's clearance of the BEMT filter on June 10. This timeline allows shoppers to access high-tech UV protection at accessible drugstore prices through both digital platforms and local pharmacies very soon.
How does BEMT work within a sunscreen formula to provide protection?
BEMT works by efficiently absorbing UV radiation across both UVA and UVB wavelengths to provide broad-spectrum protection. Because the ingredient is highly photostable, it performs well under pressure and can help stabilize other active filters used in the product. While it is a massive upgrade, dermatologists note that BEMT is often paired with established filters like avobenzone or homosalate to ensure maximum effectiveness. For example, the Ultra Sheer Daily SPF 70 combines BEMT with both avobenzone and homosalate.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: NewBeauty