Key takeaways:
Bemotrizinol is a new topical sunscreen ingredient that may become available in the U.S. In December 2025, the FDA proposed adding it to the over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen monograph.
Studies suggest that bemotrizinol offers broad ultraviolet A (UVA) / ultraviolet B (UVB) protection and appears to have low skin absorption.
“Oral sunscreen” usually refers to supplements containing ingredients, like polypodium leucotomos, that are potentially photoprotective. Early studies are promising, but these products are add-ons, not replacements for topical sunscreens.
For now, the most reliable way to prevent sunburn is still a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, plus reapplication, shade, and protective clothing.
People in the U.S. have fewer sunscreen options than those in many other countries. And, considering rising rates of skin cancer, this poses a public health challenge. But sun protection as we know it may be changing — new innovations like bemotrizinol and oral sunscreens are potential options that may become available in the future.
With these newer options on the horizon, patients might wonder what the best sun protection is, now and in the future. Below, we’ll cover the essentials about bemotrizinol and oral sunscreens, as well as review how patients can remain protected from the sun using sun-safe habits.
Bemotrizinol
In December 2025, the FDA proposed adding bemotrizinol to the over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen monograph. This means it may become an approved ingredient for inclusion in topical sunscreen products, adding to sunscreen options for consumers in the U.S.
Bemotrizinol is a chemical ultraviolet (UV) filter that covers both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA rays are linked to skin aging, pigment changes, and skin cancer risk, while UVB rays are more closely tied to sunburn. Blocking both is ideal for a sunscreen.
In its announcement, the FDA said that data suggest low skin absorption and rare skin irritation with bemotrizinol, which is preferred for topical sunscreens. If the FDA proposal is finalized, the ingredient could be used in OTC sunscreens for adults and children 6 months and older and be available later in 2026.
Keep in mind: The proposed FDA order to add bemotrizinol as a sunscreen ingredient is not a final green light. So we won’t expect to find bemotrizinol sunscreens on store shelves just yet in the U.S.
Why people are excited about bemotrizinol
Bemotrizinol has been used in sunscreens outside the U.S. for decades. And, it’s a broad-spectrum, photostable filter sunscreen. In other words, it can help support strong UV coverage and may hold up well in sunlight.
Studies suggest it also has low bioavailability and favorable environmental profile.
What it doesn’t change
Even if bemotrizinol is fully approved, it won’t change recommendations regarding sun protection. And currently available broad-spectrum sunscreens provide sufficient protection when used correctly.
But more filter sunscreen ingredient choices could help manufacturers build sunscreens that feel lighter, last longer, and offer stronger coverage. And ultimately that could lead more consumers to protect their skin with sunscreen.
What is oral sunscreen
“Oral sunscreen” typically refers to supplements that aim to lower UV-related skin damage. They typically contain different active ingredients that may have photoprotective effects. A common one is polypodium leucotomos, a fern species with historical medicinal uses. Other examples include different polyphenols and carotenoids. While early studies are promising, these products won’t replace topically-applied sunscreens soon.
What the data show
A 2025 systematic review found that oral supplements may enhance photoprotection, but the evidence was limited by small sample sizes and short study duration. So the data are interesting, but the evidence base is still developing.
A 2025 randomized trial of a supplement containing polypodium leucotomos combined with red orange extract and other vitamins reported improved UV tolerance and lower UVB-induced skin responses after 8 weeks. Older randomized trials have also suggested that polypodium leucotomos can be a helpful add-on in conditions such as melasma.
Why these products are still add-ons
Even when the data may look encouraging, oral supplements do not create a reliable SPF level the way topical sunscreen does. They also do not protect exposed skin from all of the sun’s effects on their own. “Oral sunscreen” products are not replacements for topically applied sunscreens.
If a patient wants to try one of these products, it could potentially be added to a regular sun-protection routine, but shouldn’t be used as a stand-alone approach.
Patient education: As more companies market “sunscreen pills,” you’ll likely field more questions from patients about their effectiveness. This consumer-friendly explainer reviews the basics.
When oral sunscreens might help
Oral photoprotection may be more useful for people with melasma, sun-sensitive disorders, or unavoidable sun exposure, especially when it is part of a broader plan. Polypodium leucotomos has been described as having an encouraging safety profile and possible value in select dermatology settings.
Still, a supplement is not the first place to start. For most people, consistent topical sunscreen use will give more predictable protection and clarity about coverage.
What sun protection to use right now
While newer innovations in sun protection like bemotrizinol and oral sunscreen are exciting, the basics still work. Long-term studies have linked regular sunscreen use with lower rates of actinic damage and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, as well as reduced melanoma in regular sunscreen users.
Sunscreen basics
Be sure to counsel patients on:
Broad-spectrum coverage, including UVA and UVB protection
What SPF numbers indicate
The importance of reapplication every 2 hours outdoors and after swimming or sweating
Checking the expiration date of their sunscreen
Mineral, chemical, or hybrid?
There is no single best type for everyone. Mineral sunscreens are often a good fit for sensitive skin. Chemical sunscreens often feel lighter and blend in more easily, which can help with daily use. Hybrid formulas try to provide some of both.
Patient preference can also come into play, as a sunscreen that feels good on the skin is more likely to become part of a daily routine than one that leaves a residue, stings the eyes, or causes problems with makeup.
Patient education: Our review of mineral versus chemical sunscreens can help your patients understand the pros and cons of the different options on the market.
When tinted sunscreen can help
If hyperpigmentation or melasma is part of the picture, tinted sunscreen can be worth a closer look. Some data suggest that tinted sunscreens outperform untinted products for visible light-induced photodamage and melasma relapse, and support adding visible-light protection to daily care, especially for melasma. Tinted sunscreen may also blend more easily in people with darker skin tones.
Ways to help patients save
Expensive sunscreen is not always better sunscreen. In many cases, the best product is simply the one a patient likes enough to use every day and reapply when needed.
Here are some practical ways for patients to save:
Use pretax dollars. Broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher can be FSA/HSA eligible. This can help lower out-of-pocket costs when sunscreen is a regular purchase.
Match the product to the body site. Some people like to use a comfortable, easier-to-blend sunscreen on the face and a lower-cost lotion on the body.
Cover up. Hats, sunglasses, shade, and UPF clothing can also lower how much exposed skin that needs reapplication.
A conversation about the cost of sun protection also presents an opportunity to discuss supplement safety and the cost-benefit analysis of “oral sunscreen.” “Oral sunscreen” products can add to overall costs quickly, and they’re not fully proven yet. If the budget is tight, patients will likely get more dependable protection by putting that money toward a sunscreen they will actually use.
The bottom line
Bemotrizinol is an exciting new potential sunscreen ingredient that acts as an ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) filter. But it’s not FDA approved yet. “Oral sunscreen” is another new sunscreen innovation that refers to supplements containing polypodium leucotomos. These products may offer added photoprotection for some people, but they do not replace topical sunscreen, and the evidence is still evolving. Right now, the most practical plan for sun protection remains rooted in the basics.
Why trust our experts?
References
Ahmed, A. M., et al. (2013). A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of oral polypodium leucotomos extract as an adjunct to sunscreen in the treatment of melasma. JAMA Dermatology.
American Academy of Dermatology. (2025). How to apply sunscreen.
Berman, B., et al. (2016). Polypodium leucotomos--An overview of basic investigative findings. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
D’Ruiz, C. D., et al. (2023). Preliminary clinical pharmacokinetic evaluation of bemotrizinol - A new sunscreen active ingredient being considered for inclusion under FDA's over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen monograph. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.
Gilaberte, Y., et al. (2026). Photoprotection for skin cancer: What’s new. Cancers (Basel).
Green, A. C., et al. (2011). Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: Randomized trial follow-up. Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Grimes, P. E., et al. (2025). Photoprotection efficacy of sun protection factor and iron oxide formulations in diverse skin with melasma and photodamage. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
He, M., et al. (2025). Visible light protection: An updated review of tinted sunscreens. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine.
Kersmanc, P., et al. (2025). Effects of eight-week supplementation containing red orange and polypodium leucotomos extracts on UVB-induced skin responses: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients.
Moffitt Cancer Center. (2025). A popular sunscreen ingredient used in Europe could be coming to the US.
Natarelli, N., et al. (2025). Oral supplements and photoprotection: A systematic review. Journal of Medicinal Food.
Sathe, N. C., et al. (2026). Melasma. StatPearls.
Turner, C. W., et al. (2025). Modernizing U.S. sunscreen regulations: How newer filters can improve public health. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2025). Sun protection factor (SPF).
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2025). FDA proposes expanding sunscreen active ingredient list.
van der Pols, J. C., et al. (2006). Prolonged prevention of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin by regular sunscreen use. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention.
