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The first new U.S. sunscreen filter since 1999 is finally here, and Neutrogena got it to the drugstore first.
If you've spent the last decade hoarding imported K-beauty sunscreens because American formulas felt heavy, chalky or ghostly, your instincts were rooted in real science. Since 1999, the U.S. hadn't added a single new UV filter to its approved list, while Europe, Asia and Australia moved on to elegant, invisible formulas.
That drought ended this summer, when the FDA permitted bemotrizinol, better known as BEMT, in over-the-counter sunscreens. Neutrogena was the first big drugstore brand to move, with two new BEMT face sunscreens. Here's what that means for your daily routine.
The filter
Bemotrizinol (BEMT)
FDA decision
June 2026
Last new filter
1999
Neutrogena launch
Sept 17, 2026
✦ The science
What Is BEMT, and Why Does It Matter?
BEMT isn't new to the rest of the world: it has been used in European sunscreens since 2000, often under the trade name Tinosorb S, and it's a staple of many K-beauty formulas. It's a highly stable, broad-spectrum filter that protects against both burning UVB rays and the deeper, aging UVA rays.
✦Broad-spectrum. One filter covers both UVA and UVB.
✦Photostable. It doesn't break down quickly in sunlight, so protection lasts.
✦Low absorption. Its large molecule stays on the skin's surface. The FDA found it generally safe and effective for adults and children six months and older, with low absorption into the body (Dermatology Times).
✦More elegant formulas. Because BEMT is so efficient, brands can build lighter textures with less greasiness, white cast and eye sting.
The 27-Year Wait, in Brief
1999. The last time the U.S. added a new sunscreen filter.
2000. Europe approves bemotrizinol, and it spreads across Asian and Australian sunscreens.
June 2026. The FDA issues its final order permitting BEMT at up to 6% in over-the-counter sunscreens.
September 2026. Neutrogena launches the first BEMT face sunscreens from a major U.S. drugstore brand.
For American sunscreen, this is the biggest change in a generation.
✦ The launches
Inside Neutrogena's New BEMT Sunscreens
Neutrogena pairs BEMT with its existing Helioplex360 technology in a new system it calls Cloud-Tech. The goal: high protection in textures that feel weightless. Both formulas are water-resistant for 80 minutes.
Pick 01 · Best for everyday & under makeup
Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 70
Made for everyone who hates the feel of traditional SPF. Neutrogena says it feels 50% lighter on the skin than leading sunscreens.
✦The finish: fast-absorbing and weightless, with an invisible finish and no white cast across skin tones.
✦The skincare boost: Neutrogena's patented Micro-Peptide Technology to help support the skin's natural collagen. New to peptides? Here's our beginner’s guide.
✦The vibe: a sunscreen that doubles as a primer and layers under makeup.
01
Shop our pick
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 70
A weightless SPF 70 with BEMT and micro-peptides, with no white cast and an invisible finish.
Shop on AmazonPick 02 · Best for acne-prone skin
Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60
Acne-prone skin is often the most hesitant to wear daily SPF, because heavy formulas can trigger breakouts. This non-comedogenic version is designed to fix that.
✦The finish: lightweight and matte, to help control shine through the day.
✦The skincare boost: niacinamide, vitamin E and feverfew to help calm and support breakout-prone skin.
✦The vibe: daily protection for oily and blemish-prone skin, without the congestion.
02
Shop our pick
Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60
A matte, non-comedogenic SPF 60 with BEMT and niacinamide, made for acne-prone skin.
Shop on AmazonWhich One Should You Choose?
☼ Ultra Sheer SPF 70
✦Normal, dry or combination skin
✦You wear makeup daily
✦You want an invisible, glowy-neutral finish
✦ Clear Face SPF 60
✦Oily or acne-prone skin
✦You want a matte finish
✦Breakouts have put you off sunscreen before
Already happy with a mineral sunscreen? There's no need to switch. If your skin is reactive, mineral filters like zinc oxide remain a great choice. See our sensitive skin picks. And if you've been loyal to K-beauty SPFs, our guide to the best Korean skincare brands has the favorites that made BEMT famous.
How to Get the Most From Your Sunscreen
Use enough. About a quarter teaspoon, or two finger-lengths, for your face and neck.
Make it the last step. Apply it after moisturizer in the morning, before makeup.
Reapply. Every two hours outdoors, and after swimming or sweating, even with a water-resistant formula.
Wear it every day. UVA rays reach you through clouds and windows.
The Insider Verdict
The biggest barrier to daily SPF isn't a lack of education. It's a sensory issue. By pairing the cosmetic elegance of K-beauty with the accessibility of the American drugstore, Neutrogena isn't just launching new products. It's removing the last good excuse for skipping sunscreen.
Both formulas launched on Amazon on September 17, 2026 (Cosmetics Business has the details), and with BEMT now permitted, expect more U.S. brands to follow.
Shop the launchUltra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 70 for an invisible daily finish, or Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60 if you're acne-prone.
Frequently Asked Questions
✦What is BEMT in sunscreen?
BEMT, short for bemotrizinol, is a broad-spectrum UV filter that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It's been used in Europe since 2000 and was permitted in U.S. over-the-counter sunscreens in 2026.
✦Is BEMT safe?
The FDA found bemotrizinol generally safe and effective for adults and children six months and older, with low absorption into the body. It has also been used safely in sunscreens abroad for more than two decades.
✦Is BEMT a chemical or mineral sunscreen filter?
BEMT is an organic, or “chemical,” filter. Unlike some older chemical filters, it's highly photostable and absorbs very little into the skin.
✦When did the FDA approve BEMT?
The FDA issued its final order permitting bemotrizinol at up to 6% in over-the-counter sunscreens in June 2026, the first new sunscreen ingredient added since 1999.
✦Where can I buy Neutrogena's BEMT sunscreens?
Both the Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 70 and the Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60 launched on Amazon on September 17, 2026.
Will you be switching to a BEMT sunscreen? Tell us in the comments.
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