A sunscreen ingredient used overseas for decades is reaching American consumers for the first time as Texas is projected to record 5,910 new invasive melanoma cases in 2026.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. renewed attention to the change, calling the arrival of bemotrizinol, also known as BEMT, “another MAHA win.” The rollout comes as federal health officials stress that sun protection remains important even as temperatures cool because ultraviolet radiation — not heat — is what damages skin.

First New Sunscreen Active In Decades

The Food and Drug Administration announced on June 9 that bemotrizinol would be added to the federal over-the-counter sunscreen monograph, making it the first new active ingredient added to the monograph since the late 1990s.

The agency said bemotrizinol protects against both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiation, has low levels of absorption through the skin, and is generally recognized as safe and effective under specified conditions for adults and children 6 months and older at concentrations up to 6%.

“As promised in the Trump Administration’s MAHA Strategy Report, HHS is advancing innovation by bringing a new sunscreen ingredient to the U.S. market for the first time in 20 years. Bemotrizinol has been used safely in Europe for decades, and FDA’s action will increase competition and consumer confidence in sunscreen products.”

Kennedy made the statement in the FDA’s June release.

The final administrative order was issued June 10 and took effect August 9. The FDA explains that sunscreens are regulated as over-the-counter drugs in the United States.

Products Are Reaching U.S. Shelves

The regulatory change has now moved from agency paperwork to retail products. Neutrogena lists new U.S. facial sunscreens containing BEMT, including Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 70 and Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60, on its site.

Ultra Violette also launched U.S. products containing bemotrizinol, while La Roche-Posay has announced a BEMT product for the U.S. market but still describes it as forthcoming on its American page.

Cooler Texas Weather Does Not End UV Risk

The timing matters for Texans heading into cooler fall and winter weather because lower temperatures do not eliminate ultraviolet exposure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says sun protection is important throughout the year and specifically notes that UV rays can reach people on cloudy and cool days. The agency advises using protection when the UV Index is 3 or higher.

The FDA likewise says sun safety is “always in season” and that people are exposed to ultraviolet radiation year-round regardless of the weather. Even on an overcast day, as much as 80% of the sun’s UV radiation can pass through cloud cover, according to the agency’s current guidance.

Temperature and UV intensity are not the same thing. The FDA notes that ultraviolet exposure varies with geography, altitude, time of year, time of day, weather, and reflection. The sun is generally less direct during winter, but damaging UV radiation does not disappear when the air turns cool.

That means a mild October afternoon, a cool football game, a winter walk, outdoor work, or time spent driving or sitting outside can still contribute to cumulative UV exposure if skin is unprotected.

Texas Projected To See 5,910 Melanomas

Skin cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society’s 2026 report.

More than 5 million basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed nationally each year, although the actual total is not known because those cancers are not routinely reported to central cancer registries. The CDC separately estimates that about 6.1 million adults are treated for basal and squamous cell carcinomas each year, at an annual cost of about $8.9 billion, according to its current statistics.

Melanoma accounts for a much smaller share of skin cancers but causes the large majority of skin-cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that 112,000 invasive melanomas will be diagnosed nationwide in 2026 and 8,510 people will die from the disease. Another 122,680 in situ melanomas are also projected this year.

In Texas, the American Cancer Society projects 5,910 new invasive melanoma cases and 480 melanoma deaths in 2026, according to its state-by-state estimates.

As The Dallas Express previously reported, melanoma incidence has been increasing in Texas.

Protection Requires More Than Sunscreen

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning devices, according to the CDC. The agency recommends combining several forms of protection rather than relying on sunscreen alone.

When the UV Index is 3 or higher, CDC guidance calls for seeking shade, wearing clothing that covers the arms and legs, using a wide-brimmed hat, wearing sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.

The FDA also recommends broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher and says sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours, or more often when swimming or sweating. The agency stresses that no sunscreen blocks all UV radiation.

Some medical groups recommend SPF 30 or higher for routine sun protection. The American Cancer Society advises broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher as part of a broader strategy that includes shade, protective clothing, and avoiding tanning beds.

The CDC also notes that unprotected skin can be damaged by UV radiation in as little as 15 minutes and that people can still need protection when conditions are cool or cloudy.

MAHA Strategy Targeted Sunscreen Regulation

The Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again Strategy Report called for the FDA to promote innovation in the sunscreen market and improve the regulatory process for over-the-counter sunscreen.

Bemotrizinol became the first new active ingredient added to an OTC monograph under the streamlined administrative-order process established by the CARES Act. DSM Nutritional Products LLC submitted the request, and the FDA finalized the change after issuing a proposed order in December 2025.

The FDA’s final order also provided an 18-month exclusivity period tied to the submission for DSM Nutritional Products LLC and its licensees, assignees, or successors in interest.

The Dallas Express has previously reported on the administration’s broader MAHA strategy and its emphasis on revisiting federal health policies and regulatory processes.

Provided by Dallas Express