America Finally Approved This Sunscreen Ingredient After 27 Years. I Put It to the Test.

4 min readTAKE ONE LOOK at our healthcare system, and it’s clear the US is still behind other developed nations in many ways. While affordable options, non-apocalyptic wait times, or the ability to easily speak to a human being on the phone when making an appointment are as fantastical in this country as Voldemort's horcruxes or the idea of the New York Jets ever winning the Super Bowl, this year brought a glimmer of progress toward the rest of the world. At least when it comes to sunscreen.After the FDA approved bemotrizinol (BEMT for short) in June—a popular active in sunscreens used in Asia, Europe, and Australia since the late 90s—brands are finally now able to release products featuring it in the States. One of the first—and the best so far—is La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense Sunscreen SPF 50 with BEMT, which was released early this week.ProsAbsorbs completely in secondsNo white castLightweight, moisturizer-like textureFragrance-free and gentle on skinBroad-spectrum UVA and UVB protectionConsNot water- or sweat-resistantI was lucky enough to get an early look at the stuff and have been using it every day for over a month. Does it feel different than other SPFs? Is it effectively protective against UV rays? Will the Jets ever field a decent quarterback? Two of those questions I’ll answer below (and hey, who knows, maybe Arch Manning can save the New York somehow still faithful).Formula Obviously, the big inclusion here is BEMT, the first newly approved sunscreen filter since 1999. BEMT is a chemical UV filter, meaning it absorbs UV rays rather than blocking them as mineral sunscreen filters do. Okay, rad, but that’s nothing new. According to this writer, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch SPF 60 is the best sunscreen for men—it’s also chemical-based and nearly half the price. So why all the fuss about BEMT?Sean ZuckerUnlike many other products, BEMT absorbs both UVA rays (the ones that cause early signs of aging and can be a major contributor to skin cancer) and UVB rays (the ones that lead to surface-level damage and sunburn). BEMT can also absorb faster than other chemical actives, with a more lightweight application. Plus, it’s highly photostable, meaning it won’t break down and protect less effectively after being exposed to sunlight (a common issue with many SPF products).La Roche-Posay tosses some classic chemical ingredients into this formula, as well, for good measure. There’s avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene, which is the same quartet that highlights my go-to Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch SPF 60. There are even some skin-boosters in the mix, like glycerin and soybean oil for added hydration. Of course, it wouldn’t be a La Roche-Posay product if it wasn’t safe for sensitive skin, so it’s also fragrance-free.Feel and EffectivenessWhen I first applied Anthelios UVDefense with BEMT, it was clear this was different from other sunscreens I've used. It has the look and weight of a thicker mineral sunscreen with the milky texture of a daily moisturizer—but absorbs faster than a gel SPF like Supergoop Unseen. We throw around the terms fast-absorbing and weightless a lot in skincare, but this is one of the rare occasions when a product really lives up to this claim.Sean ZuckerI’ll start applying a dime-sized drop of this stuff, and it’s fully absorbed onto my face within 15 seconds without a trace. Not sure if this says more about how lightweight the sunscreen is or how useless my brain is before coffee, but there have been a couple of mornings when I couldn’t remember whether or not I applied the SPF—and had no way of determining if I did.There is no semblance of a white cast after applying this stuff; it really feels and looks more like applying a lightweight moisturizer than SPF. There’s no weird chemically smell either, which is a sunscreen pet peeve of mine. The only major drawbacks are that it’s not water-resistant or sweat-resistant. But that’s what sunscreen for working out is for.Sean ZuckerIt’s always difficult to fully quantify how effective a sunscreen is at protecting against signs of aging or cancer, as these things develop over many months and years. However, I never saw any sun damage on days I applied this SPF. As a pasty dude, the biggest tell for if a sunscreen is effective for me is how susceptible my skin becomes to redness. Here, there were no signs of flushing or discoloration during the month I was using the sunscreen.Final Verdict: Should You Buy La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense Sunscreen SPF 50 with BEMT? La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense Sunscreen SPF 50 with BEMT takes full advantage of its newly available in the US hero ingredient with a lightweight formula that feels more like a moisturizer than sunscreen. It absorbs in seconds, leaves no white cast or chemical smell, and works especially well for everyday wear. The fragrance-free formula also makes it a strong pick for sensitive skin. The effective sun protection and quick application make a strong case for why we should have had access to BEMT in this country years ago.Sean ZuckerBest Overall SPF MoisturizerBest Sunscreen for Working OutMore of Our Favorite SkincareMoisturizers for Oily Skin | Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin | Moisturizers With SPF | Moisturizers for Combination Skin | Moisturizers for Dry Skin | Body Lotions | Night Creams | Foot Creams | Eye Creams | Body Washes for Dry Skin | Bar Soaps | Natural Soaps | Biodegradable Soaps | Face Washes | Moisturizing Body Washes | Deodorants | Sunscreen for Working Out | Skincare BrandsSean Zucker is the Grooming and Reviews Editor at Men's Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean's not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck. Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.