Bemotrizinol, marketed by BASF as Tinosorb S, receives regulatory approval in the United States as the first new sunscreen active ingredient approved by the FDA since 1999

• Approval allows BASF to market Tinosorb S, bringing advanced broad-spectrum UV protection to the U.S. market
• Globally proven UVB and UVA protection sets a new benchmark for performance and photostability
• Enables advanced, long‑lasting sunscreen formulations for evolving U.S. consumer expectations

FLORHAM PARK, NJ – June 12, 2026 – Bemotrizinol (BEMT), marketed by BASF as Tinosorb^® S, has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a sunscreen active ingredient. Developed by Ciba Specialty Chemicals and later integrated into BASF through acquisition, BEMT is now available to the U.S. sunscreen market as one of the most effective UV filters. It is also the first new UV filter to be approved by the FDA in 27 years. This marks a significant advancement in sun protection for American consumers.

Known chemically as Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Tinosorb S is a highly efficient broad-range UVB and UVA filter with a long history of use globally. With FDA approval now in place, BASF adds Tinosorb S to its innovative portfolio of proven sun care products and further expands its personal care expertise and technology leadership in the United States.

“Tinosorb S represents decades of BASF innovation in photoprotection,” said Brandon Crist, Vice President, Business Management at BASF Personal Care Americas. “Following this FDA approval, we are proud to introduce this advanced UV filter to the U.S. market, providing formulators a new opportunity to deliver the high‑performance, broad‑spectrum sun protection that today’s consumers demand.”

A benchmark in broad-spectrum UV protection

Tinosorb S was specifically designed to deliver strong and reliable broad-spectrum UV protection, covering the entire UVB and UVA range. With absorption peaks at approximately 310 nm and 340 nm, it provides comprehensive protection across the wavelengths most responsible for skin damage and premature aging. Recognized globally as a benchmark for efficacy and photostability, Bemotrizinol maintains its performance even under intense sunlight exposure.

In addition to its primary UV protection benefits function, Tinosorb S serves as a photostabilizer within sunscreen formulations for more photo-unstable UV filters. It helps stabilize ingredients such as avobenzone, improving the durability and effectiveness of UVA protection in complex formulations. In the U.S., where options for strong UVA protection are limited, Tinosorb S supports sunscreen formulas in achieving a critical wavelength above 370 nm, when combined with avobenzone or Z-COTE^® zinc oxides to provide broad-spectrum protection.

Thanks to its large molecular structure, Tinosorb S exhibits low percutaneous absorption, reducing the risk of irritation. This attribute makes it particularly well suited for high‑performance sunscreens designed for sensitive skin, reinforcing its role as a trusted and proven solution in modern sun care formulations.

For more information, visit: Tinosorb S.

Tinosorb^® S is a registered trademark of BASF SE.

About the Care Chemicals division at BASF

The BASF division Care Chemicals offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are a leading global supplier for the cosmetics industry as well as the detergents and cleaners industry, and support our customers with innovative and sustainable products, solutions and concepts. The division’s high-performance product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters. We have production and development sites in all regions and are expanding our presence in emerging markets. Further information is available online at www.care-chemicals.basf.com.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 15,600 employees in North America and had sales of $18.1 billion in 2025. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 108,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €60 billion in 2025. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

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