BEMT Filter Debuts: Allure Names Nine Best Face Sunscreens for 2026

The FDA approved bemotrizinol (BEMT) in 2026, the first new sunscreen filter to clear the agency in more than 25 years, and Allure's new best-face-sunscreens list already features two formulas built on it. The nine-product roundup spans $34 to $84 and covers mineral, chemical and hybrid formulas, all with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher per dermatologist guidelines.

What made the list?

• Best Mineral Overall: Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36, $84
• Best Chemical Overall: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 Sunscreen with BEMT, $40
• Best Lightweight: Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50, $48
• Best Under Makeup: Peach & Lily Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen SPF 30, $34
• Best for Dry Skin: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50, $64
• Best for Oily Skin: Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF 50
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Shiseido Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50
• Best for Dull Skin: Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40
• Best for Acne-Prone Skin: EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50

Why does the Alastin pick lead mineral formulas?

Alastin designed the HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36 for patients fresh off lasers, peels, or injectables. The formula uses 3.4% zinc oxide and 8.9% titanium dioxide, with ectoin to strengthen the skin barrier and phytoene and phytofluene for added defense. "The tint blends easily for most skin tones, and you can even use it in lieu of foundation," said May Hall, DO, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Asheville, North Carolina. The sunscreen is tinted and fragrance-free but not water-resistant.

Contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee tested it: "The tint is sheer enough to cancel out any chalkiness, yet it's sheer (I definitely wouldn't call it makeup). It blends in beautifully and absorbs quickly, leaving my skin looking even and calm."

What does BEMT change for chemical sunscreens?

La Roche-Posay's Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50 contains 2% BEMT alongside 3% avobenzone, 5% octisalate, 6% octocrylene and 11% homosalate. BEMT protects against both UVA and UVB rays and stays stable in sunlight. "It's silky on the skin with no white residue," Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York City, previously told Allure. She added: "BEMT is a partial exception for those with sensitive skin because it is a huge molecule and it sits on the skin so there is minimal absorption." The filter is considered safe for children ages six months and older. Commerce writer Tasha Nicole Smith reported no stinging around her sensitive eyes and "a subtle glow" on reapplication.

Ultra Violette claims first-mover status: it brought BEMT to a U.S. sunscreen before the La Roche-Posay launch. Its Unblock Screen SPF 50 pairs 3% bemotrizinol and 6% octocrylene with 10% zinc oxide in a hybrid formula, adds Bix'Activ from annatto seeds to control oil, silica to absorb sebum, and Pentavitin for hydration. Commerce editor Sarah Han noted it "takes less time to blend in" than other tinted sunscreens and advised dispensing more than one pump to reach the recommended 1/4 teaspoon for the face.

Which formulas suit sensitive, dry and oily skin?

Colorescience's Total Protection No-Show Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 uses 10% zinc oxide with no tint. "It goes on sheer with zero white cast. It feels like a silky moisturizer rather than a heavy zinc paste," said Dr. Yoo. It contains bisabolol, allantoin and sunflower sprout extract, and resists water for 40 minutes.

Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50 combines 10% zinc oxide with hyaluronic acid, squalane, niacinamide and silk extract. "Silk extract adds to a smooth, primer-like feel that makes dry skin look healthier and sits well under makeup," said Dr. Yoo. "I love to use this as my tinted makeup and just fly out the door in the mornings."

Shiseido's Urban Environment Mineral Clear Sunscreen SPF 50, a 2025 Best of Beauty winner, uses 4.5% titanium dioxide and 17.2% zinc oxide with dipotassium glycyrrhizate, a licorice-derived ingredient that calms irritation. "It goes on sheer and blends to a clear finish," said Dr. Yoo. Commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann called it "a labor of blending love" and praised its demi-matte finish as an excellent makeup primer.

EltaMD's UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50, a 2026 Best of Beauty Award winner, pairs 11% zinc oxide with 5% niacinamide. Senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino cited the brand's clinical trials, which found users saw reduced visible blemishes, excess oil and pore size over time.

What about makeup wearers and dull skin?

Peach & Lily's Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen SPF 30 layers niacinamide, ceramides, panthenol, multiple forms of hyaluronic acid, ectoin, bisabolol, Centella asiatica, green tea and ferulic acid. Beauty director Sarah Kinonen reported it "never pills and isn't greasy or sticky" under foundation and liquid blush.

Isdin's Fusion Water Magic SPF 40 uses 9% octocrylene, 7.3% homosalate, 4.5% octisalate and 2.7% avobenzone with sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, vitamin E and microalgae. Editor in chief Jessica Cruel said it "blends seamlessly into my brown skin with no purple tint" and recommended it for people who dislike how sunscreen feels.

How did Allure test them?

The editorial team scored each product on ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture and wear, with vetting from board-certified dermatologists including Miami-based Loretta Ciraldo, MD, New York-based Sejal Shah, MD, and Cincinnati-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos. On SPF math: SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50 blocks about 98%, versus 93% for SPF 15. Mineral filters "reflect ultraviolet rays off of them before the rays penetrate skin cells," Dr. Ciraldo explained, while chemical filters "use chemicals that absorb damaging UV rays and convert them to non-damaging heat," said Dr. Shah. Dobos noted BEMT lets formulators make "products with lighter texture and less greasiness."

With BEMT now FDA-approved and two of the nine winners already formulated around it, expect lighter, cast-free sunscreens to multiply across U.S. shelves through 2026 — pending how quickly other brands follow Ultra Violette and La Roche-Posay to market.