BASF launches Tinosorb S UV filter in the United States following FDA approval

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12 August 2026

BASF launches Tinosorb S UV filter in the United States following FDA approval

The manufacturer of personal care ingredients has announced the U.S. availability of Bemotrizinol (BEMT), marketed under the company’s Tinosorb S trademark, following the recent approval of the ingredient as a sunscreen active by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The move marks a significant development for the American sun care market, where formulators have had limited access to several new-generation UV filters already widely used internationally.

Following FDA approval of Bemotrizinol, BASF is launching Tinosorb S in the United States under its license agreement with DSM Nutritional Products LLC. The co-exclusive rights to market and sell the UV filter covers use in sunscreen products manufactured in the United States as well as products imported into the country.

A globally established broad-spectrum UV filter

Tinosorb S (Bemotrizinol) is recognized globally as a broad-spectrum UV filter that delivers protection across both the UVA and UVB ranges. In addition to its filtering efficacy, the ingredient is known for its exceptional photostability, helping maintain sunscreen performance during UV exposure and improving the photostability of other UV filters used in formulations.

These characteristics have made Bemotrizinol a key component in many advanced sunscreen systems outside the United States, particularly in Europe and Asia. BASF said the ingredient enables manufacturers to develop high-performance formulations with long-lasting protection and enhanced skin defense.

The FDA approval is expected to broaden formulation possibilities for U.S. sunscreen brands seeking to improve efficacy, stability, and consumer experience while aligning more closely with international sun care standards.

Strengthening BASF’s sun care offering

BASF emphasized that the launch reinforces its broader strategy in sun care ingredients. The company’s UV filter portfolio includes the Tinosorb, Uvinul, and Z-COTE product families, complemented by a wide range of formulation ingredients such as emollients, emulsifiers, rheology modifiers, film formers, and cosmetic active ingredients.

By combining UV filters with formulation support, BASF aims to provide an integrated development platform for sunscreen manufacturers. According to the company, this approach can help customers create next-generation sun care products that combine “high-performance UV protection, exceptional sensory attributes, and sustainability-focused innovation.”

The company said it intends to work closely with sunscreen manufacturers, brand owners, and formulators across the United States to accelerate the commercialization of products incorporating Tinosorb S.

Implications for the U.S. sunscreen market

Industry observers have long viewed Bemotrizinol as one of the most significant modern UV filters absent from the U.S. market. Its approval could stimulate reformulation activity across premium and mass-market sunscreen categories, including facial sunscreens, body protection products, and multifunctional skincare with SPF claims.

For ingredient suppliers and contract manufacturers, the launch may also create new opportunities in formulation optimization and product differentiation, particularly as consumers increasingly demand sunscreens that deliver broad-spectrum protection, photostability, reliable performance and cosmetic elegance.