On July 27, 2026, BASF announced that its sunscreen ingredient bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), marketed under the registered trademark Tinosorb® S, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a sunscreen active ingredient in the American market. This marks the first approval of a new ultraviolet filter in the United States since 1999, ending a nearly 27-year gap in new sunscreen ingredient authorisations.
BEMT was originally developed by Ciba Specialty Chemicals and later became part of BASF through business acquisitions. As a high‑efficiency broad‑spectrum sunscreen agent, Tinosorb S provides coverage across both UVB and UVA wavelengths, with absorption peaks at approximately 310 nm and 340 nm, offering effective protection in the critical wavelength ranges associated with skin damage and premature photoaging. Thanks to its outstanding photostability and reliable performance, this ingredient has gained widespread recognition and long‑term use in many markets across Europe, Asia, and other regions.
The unique advantage of Tinosorb S lies in its dual function. Beyond its primary role as a UV filter, it also acts as a photostabiliser in sunscreen formulations, helping to enhance the stability of other less photostable UV filters. For example, it can help stabilise avobenzone, thereby improving the durability and efficacy of UVA protection in complex formulations. This property is particularly important for the U.S. market, where options for robust UVA protection have historically been limited. When combined with avobenzone or Z‑COTE (a zinc oxide series), Tinosorb S can help sunscreen formulations achieve a critical wavelength above 370 nm, meeting the requirements for broad‑spectrum protection. In addition, due to its relatively large molecular structure, Tinosorb S exhibits low skin penetration, which helps reduce the risk of irritation, making it especially suitable for developing high‑performance sunscreens for sensitive skin.
The long delay in U.S. sunscreen ingredient approvals stems from the FDA's regulatory classification of sunscreens as over‑the‑counter drugs rather than low‑risk cosmetics, a framework that has historically led to lengthy review processes. Since 1999, the FDA had not approved any new sunscreen active ingredients, while markets in Europe and Asia had already widely adopted next‑generation filters such as Tinosorb S. This approval not only brings more advanced sun protection options to American consumers but also marks the first successful use of the streamlined OTC monograph review process established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The FDA has determined that BEMT is safe and effective for use in adults and children aged six months and older, permitting a maximum concentration of 6% in sunscreen formulations.
For BASF, the FDA approval allows the company to incorporate Tinosorb S into its U.S. sunscreen portfolio, further strengthening its technological leadership in personal care. Brandon Crist, BASF's Vice President of Business Management for Personal Care in the Americas, stated that Tinosorb S represents decades of BASF innovation in photoprotection. With this FDA approval, the company is proud to bring this advanced UV filter to the U.S. market, offering formulators new opportunities to develop the high‑performance, broad‑spectrum sunscreens that consumers demand today. Frank Wang, BASF's Vice President of Business Management for Personal Care in Asia Pacific, noted that this approval creates new development opportunities for customers in the Asia‑Pacific region, as BASF can support them in navigating the new regulatory requirements and help them move earlier to innovate products for both U.S. and global markets.
At the same time, dsm‑firmenich will also market the same ingredient under the Parsol Shield brand in the United States. With the approval taking effect on August 9, 2026, the U.S. sunscreen market is poised for its largest wave of product upgrades in nearly three decades.
