Tinosorb M: The Filter That Both Absorbs and Reflects
A hybrid filter that breaks the chemical-vs-mineral binary.
Mexoryl 400 was approved in the EU in 2019 at concentrations up to 3%.
Mexoryl 400 peaks at 385 nm, reaching deep into the ultra-long UVA1 range most filters miss.
Frequently asked questions
What is bemotrizinol (Parsol Shield)?
Bemotrizinol (trade name Parsol Shield; also known as Tinosorb S) is a broad-spectrum UVA+UVB filter that is highly photostable. On June 9, 2026 the FDA approved it — the first new sunscreen active added to the US monograph since the 1990s — for adults and children 6 months and older at up to 6%.
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.
r/SkincareScience: 'Why is Mexoryl 400 such a big deal for UVA?'
Sources & citations
- Flament F et al., J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 2024;38(1):214-222, doi:10.1111/jdv.19486 (Mexoryl 400)
- dermapproved.com ↗