BEMT

abbreviation or noun

ˌbē-ˌē-ˌem-ˈtē 

: a chemical compound C₃₈H₄₉N₃O₅ that absorbs UVA and UVB radiation and resists degradation when exposed to sunlight and that is used as an ingredient in sunscreens : bemotrizinol

… for the first time in over twenty-five years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new sunscreen ingredient—bemotrizinol, or BEMT—that dermatologists and skin care experts say is a safer option than many chemical ingredients currently in use in the United States.

—Congressional Documents and Publications

The chemical structure of bemotrizinol is highly resistant to degradation when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. … BEMT remains stable even during prolonged sun exposure but should still be reapplied every two hours when outdoors, swimming or sweating.

—John Shaff

This is the first time in over 25 years the FDA has approved a new chemical ingredient for sunscreen. Experts said products with BEMT protect against UVA and UVB rays, stay longer on the skin than the existing … sunscreen available in the U.S. and don't cause streaky white marks …

—Lisa L. Colangelo

… the FDA added bemotrizinol (BEMT) to its list of permitted active ingredients …

—Cindy Krischer Goodman

Word History

First Known Use

2014, in the meaning defined above