FDA approves a well-known sunscreen ingredient—finally

The FDA recently approved a sunscreen ingredient called bemotrizinol, or BEMT, that’s been used in Europe and Asia for years. This is the first new sunscreen ingredient approved in the United States in over two decades. Meanwhile, skin cancer has become the most common cancer in the U.S. 

Flora discusses the chemistry of sunblock with a sunscreen chemist AJ Addae, and the regulatory process that led to this approval with health journalist Michael Scaturro. 

Guests:

Michael Scaturro is a health journalist based in New York City. 

AJ Addae is a chemistry PhD student at UCLA and founder of SULA Labs.

Other episodes you may enjoy: 

• Understanding Sunscreen Ingredients And Which Ones You Need

Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.

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