1. FDA APPROVED: New to U.S. sunscreen ingredient
The Food and Drug Administration announced June 9 that it had approved bemotrizinol for use in sunscreens in the United States, marking the first new sunscreen ingredient introduced since the 1990s.
The chemical is already popular in other countries. “Bemotrizinol has been used safely in Europe for decades, and FDA’s action will increase competition and consumer confidence in sunscreen products,” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a news release.
The agency first announced plans to review bemotrizinol for use in sunblock in December 2025, with then-FDA Commissioner Marty Makary saying the FDA has “historically moved too slowly in this area, leaving Americans with fewer options than consumers abroad.”
The American Academy of Dermatology cheered the decision.
Bemotrizinol, or BEMT, is a chemical compound that is broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. – Mary Walrath-Holdridge and Michelle Del Rey/USA TODAY
2. PERMETHRIN: Is it safe? Effective?
Bug season, which peaks late spring to early summer, is about to usher in massive hatches of mosquitoes, ticks and other insects. These creatures can be a nuisance and carriers of disease, so you may be thinking of solutions to combat them.
One of the most bandied-around names is permethrin. But what is it, and is it safe to use?
Permethrin is a “life-saving” chemical compound that protects against contracting deadly vector-borne diseases, said Lee Haines, an entomologist at the University of Notre Dame. Available in multiple forms, including sprays and pretreated clothing, the insecticide is used to control insect and tick infestations, including on food and feed crops, lawns and clothing.
One warning, Haines recommended permethrin be used “sparingly and responsibly.” Using it on lawns and the environment harms the natural predators to species that homeowners and farmers are trying to control. Permethrin runoff into water can pose problems as well, she said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention similarly recommends applying permethrin only to clothing, mosquito nets or other fabrics.
3. READ MORE: Online now at marconews.com
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This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: 3 To Know: New sunscreen ingredient; effective insecticide and more
Reporting by Marco Eagle / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Marco Eagle | USA TODAY Network
