For the first time in more than a quarter-century, Americans have a new option when shopping for sunscreen: a skin-protecting chemical that’s long been a go-to option in Europe and other parts of the world.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved bemotrizinol — sometimes called BEMT — in June. The first sunscreens containing it are now hitting U.S. store shelves, including formulas from Neutrogena and other manufacturers.

Dermatologists say the chemical fills an important market gap by offering broad protection, like the most well-established sunscreen ingredients, but without their cosmetic downsides, including white streaking.

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[–] 18 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Headline: “First new sunscreen type in 25 years!”

Story: “Yeah, it’s not really new. The rest of the world has been using it for ages.”

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  • [–] 14 points 3 weeks ago

    Now give us the sunscreens they use in Japan and Korea. Works and doesn't feel disgusting.

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  • [–] 5 points 3 weeks ago

    I was not aware of the problems that some widely used UV protection substances can bring about. Thank you for making me aware of it by your post!

    I found some detailed but customer oriented information in an article by the German consumer test magazine Ökotest: https://www.oekotest.de/kosmetik-wellness/Sonnencreme-Diese-vier-UV-Filter-sollten-Sie-meiden_11405_1.html

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  • [–] 3 points 3 weeks ago

    Just in time for winter.

    JK

    I know it's a year round thing, and especially skiers need it.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 weeks ago

    It's demon semen

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  • 6 comments in c/science@beehaw.org view that post
    [–] 15 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

    Unless I missed it, the article doesn't mention whether this sunscreen mitigates the impact on coral in the ocean. The sunscreens we've been using are terrible for that.

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  • [–] 9 points 3 weeks ago (1 child)

    From the end of the article:

    The European Union’s environmental agency has found “limited evidence of environmental toxicity” with BEMT, but longer-term research is needed.

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  • [–] 6 points 3 weeks ago

    Now that I look again I see that. I think I hadn't hit the "Read More" so didn't see the end of the article. I even searched for "coral" initially and it didn't find anything. The first subheading after it expands does mention coral.

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  • [–] 11 points 3 weeks ago

    That's speaks more to how the USA approves sunscreen than technological breakthroughs in the technology.

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