Sunscreen news is usually slow. This year it was not. The FDA added a new OTC sunscreen active, and at least one brand already put it on U.S. shelves.
What the FDA said
In a June 9, 2026 announcement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it added bemotrizinol (BEMT) to the list of permitted sunscreen active ingredients, describing it as the first new active ingredient added to the OTC sunscreen monograph since the late 1990s. The agency said bemotrizinol protects against ultraviolet A and B rays, has low absorption through the skin, and is generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for adults and children 6 months of age and older under the monograph conditions.
What Ultra Violette said
An Ultra Violette press release dated August 31, 2026 announced Unblock Screen SPF 50 Breakout-Friendly SKINSCREEN as the first U.S. sunscreen formulated with bemotrizinol after the FDA action. The brand said the formula combines BEMT with octocrylene and zinc oxide in a soft-matte texture aimed at acne-prone, oily, and reactive skin. Availability was stated as August 31, 2026 at ultraviolettespf.com and Sephora.com, and in Sephora stores nationwide from October 2, 2026, at a brand-stated RRP of $40. Confirm current price and stock before you buy.
The same release said a second BEMT product, Fave Screen SPF 50, is planned for January 2027. Treat that as a future note, not a shopping list.
How BCL would decide
If your current SPF feels greasy or chalky and you skip it on school mornings, a lighter texture is worth a try. If your current SPF already works, you do not need a new filter to prove you are paying attention. Patch test if your skin is reactive, and keep SPF as a daily habit rather than a haul.
Integrity note
Facts above come from the FDA announcement and Ultra Violette’s PR Newswire release. Beautifully Chaotic Life is not affiliated with the FDA, Ultra Violette, or Sephora. No partnership is implied. This is not medical advice.
