The First BEMT Sunscreens Have Landed
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A few weeks ago, a package from Neutrogena turned up on my doorstep. It featured their latest release of sunscreens and unlike launches past, which contain the same chemical filters I’ve been seeing for a decade with riffs on feel and invisibility, this one had a new filter, bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen filter approved by the FDA in 27 years. As I wrote about shortly after the announcement, bemotrizinol is a broad-spectrum filter, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Most do one or the other. It’s also a bit more stable and degrades slower than the chemical filters we’re used to. That means the time advertised on the bottle is a bit more accurate, so you can be confident about the level of protection you receive. Originally, the ingredient was limited to a single manufacturer, but we’ve seen it popping up in multiple formulas over the past few months.
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This is the sunscreen I’ve been testing. It’s reminiscent of the K Beauty sunscreens I’ve tried in that it’s lightweight and nongreasy but still moisturizing. It contains micro-peptide technology to support collagen production and a high SPF factor of 70, protecting against at least 98 percent of UV rays. Another bonus is that it contains antioxidants, which helps to guard against oxidative stress and hyperpigmentation.
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There’s also an acne-prone skin version, which is noncomedogenic and has ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation like vitamin E and niacinamide. It’s slightly thinner than the Ultra Sheer formula and sinks in quickly, ideal for wearing under makeup.
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Another ultra-lightweight option, this one goes on and disappears near-instantly. It’s packed with antioxidants, including Exo-P, a ferment extract that protects skin from smog and pollution.
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Ultra Violette has become a favorite thanks to its skincare-like feel. This is a hybrid formula that contains both physical and chemical filters. Of the available options, this contains the fewest chemical filters with just BEMT, octocrylene and zinc oxide, which the brand says makes it easy to add more actives like pentavitin, a plant-based extract that attracts moisture to the skin. It also has a soft-matte finish, an alternative to the mostly glowy offerings on the market.
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