Bemotrizinol (BEMT), marketed by BASF as Tinosorb® S, has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a sunscreen active ingredient. Developed by Ciba Specialty Chemicals and later integrated into BASF through acquisition, BEMT is now available to the U.S. sunscreen market as one of the most effective UV filters. It is also the first new UV filter to be approved by the FDA in 27 years. This marks a significant advancement in sun protection for American consumers.
Known chemically as Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Tinosorb S is a highly efficient broad-range UVB and UVA filter with a long history of use globally. With FDA approval now in place, BASF adds Tinosorb S to its innovative portfolio of proven sun care products and further expands its personal care expertise and technology leadership in the United States.
“Tinosorb S represents decades of BASF innovation in photoprotection,” said Brandon Crist, Vice President, Business Management at BASF Personal Care Americas. “Following this FDA approval, we are proud to introduce this advanced UV filter to the U.S. market, providing formulators a new opportunity to deliver the high‑performance, broad‑spectrum sun protection that today’s consumers demand.”
A benchmark in broad-spectrum UV protection
Tinosorb S was specifically designed to deliver strong and reliable broad-spectrum UV protection, covering the entire UVB and UVA range. With absorption peaks at approximately 310 nm and 340 nm, it provides comprehensive protection across the wavelengths most responsible for skin damage and premature aging. Recognized globally as a benchmark for efficacy and photostability, Bemotrizinol maintains its performance even under intense sunlight exposure.
In addition to its primary UV protection benefits function, Tinosorb S serves as a photostabilizer within sunscreen formulations for more photo-unstable UV filters. It helps stabilize ingredients such as avobenzone, improving the durability and effectiveness of UVA protection in complex formulations. In the U.S., where options for strong UVA protection are limited, Tinosorb S supports sunscreen formulas in achieving a critical wavelength above 370 nm, when combined with avobenzone or Z-COTE® zinc oxides to provide broad-spectrum protection.
Thanks to its large molecular structure, Tinosorb S exhibits low percutaneous absorption, reducing the risk of irritation. This attribute makes it particularly well suited for high‑performance sunscreens designed for sensitive skin, reinforcing its role as a trusted and proven solution in modern sun care formulations.
