Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s June 9 decision adding bemotrizinol (BEMT) to the OTC sunscreen monograph—the first new UV filter approved in the U.S. market since 1999—the sun care category has shifted from regulatory breakthrough to rapid commercialization.
The approval unlocks use of the globally established broad-spectrum UV filter, already widely adopted in Europe, Asia and Australia, and marketed by BASF as Tinosorb S and by dsm-firmenich as Parsol Shield. It also positions the U.S. market to finally align with international sunscreen standards, where bemotrizinol has long been a benchmark for photostability and UVA/UVB coverage.
In parallel, Canada’s earlier allowance of bemotrizinol in secondary sunscreen applications further accelerated momentum toward hybrid, daily-wear UV systems—spanning moisturizers, skin tints, and multifunctional complexion products.
Now, just days after the FDA milestone, Inolex is first to market with a formulation enabler designed specifically for this new era.
The company has introduced LexFeel Enhance MB, a polymer-based technology aimed at stabilizing bemotrizinol and other organic UV filters while upgrading sensory performance, addressing one of sunscreen’s long-standing consumer pain points: feel.
In vivo testing cited by Inolex shows potential SPF gains of 25-30%, with formulations reaching SPF 50 performance thresholds. The material also improves photostability versus traditional emollients, enabling higher efficiency at lower usage levels and extending stability under stress conditions.
Beyond performance, the positioning is clear: better aesthetics drive better compliance. LexFeel Enhance MB is designed to reduce greasiness, improve spreadability and deliver a cushiony after-feel, targeting the sensory gap that continues to limit daily sunscreen adoption.
