Bemotrizinol for Kids: What the Approval Includes
The new filter is cleared for children 6 months and up.
Tinosorb S and Tinosorb M have been used in Europe, Asia, and Australia for over two decades.
Next-generation filters were engineered to stay stable in sunlight rather than degrade like older ones.
Frequently asked questions
Are next-gen UV filters better than older ones?
Newer filters such as bemotrizinol, bisoctrizole and Mexoryl 400 generally give broader, more even UVA coverage and far better photostability than older ones like avobenzone, which degrades in sunlight. They also tend to feel more elegant — though applying enough and reapplying still matter most.
Which sunscreen filters are approved in the US vs the EU?
The EU has approved 34 UV filters for sunscreens; the US allows about 16 (now 17 with bemotrizinol's 2026 approval). Filters widely used in Europe and Asia — such as bisoctrizole, drometrizole trisiloxane and Mexoryl 400 — remain under FDA review, which is why US options have lagged.
What does broad-spectrum protection actually mean?
'Broad-spectrum' means a sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB. In the US a product must pass an FDA critical-wavelength test to make the claim. Because SPF only measures UVB protection, broad-spectrum labeling is how you know you're also covered against deeper, aging UVA rays.
r/SkincareScience: 'What's the difference between Mexoryl SX, XL, and 400?'
Sources & citations
- FDA Final Administrative Order OTC000039, bemotrizinol (June 9, 2026)
- en.wikipedia.org ↗