The US Food and Drug Administration has approved bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen active ingredient for US products in more than 20 years. Dermatologists say products with this ingredient could give adults ages 50+ more options for protecting skin that has already been exposed to decades of sun, according to an AARP blog by Donna Freydkin.

Bemotrizinol protects against both UVA and UVB rays; UVA rays are linked to wrinkles, dark spots, and other signs of skin aging, while UVB rays cause sunburn. Both contribute to skin cancer risk.

For many adults over 50, sunscreen can feel like a late fix for damage that started decades ago, Freydkin noted. But dermatologists emphasized that this view misses the protective benefit of continued sun protection. "I tell my patients older than 50 that a lot of sun damage happened when you were a kid, teenager or in your 20s, but that doesn't mean that everything you do now won't help," said Abigail Waldman, MD, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in the Boston area. "Regular sun protection in your 50s and beyond can absolutely improve your skin health."

Bemotrizinol may also yield a sunscreen that's easier to wear because the ingredient has less irritant dermatitis (rash or itch) associated with it compared to older chemical sun filters and it’s also oil-soluble, so it is easier to spread.

To read the AARP blog, click here