TAKE 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.
Pros
- Absorbs completely in seconds
- No white cast
- Lightweight, moisturizer-like texture
- Fragrance-free and gentle on skin
- Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection
Cons
- Not water- or sweat-resistant
I 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?
Unlike 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 Effectiveness
When 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.
