July 06, 2026
Colorado sunshine is no joke. Whether you’re hiking, biking or at an outdoor World Cup watch party, your skin is getting more sun and potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays than you might think.
“Everyone should use sunscreen, especially living in Colorado,” said Denver Health board certified dermatologist Mayra Maymone, MD, who is excited about a recent move by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve a new sunscreen ingredient, one with a unique benefit over what’s available on the shelves.
Bemotrizinol, which is the first new sunscreen ingredient approved in the U.S. in more than 25 years, has been used for decades in Europe and Australia and countries in Asia and South America. What’s different about bemotrizinol is it protects against both UVA and UVB rays in one molecule. UVA rays contribute more to photoaging and skin damage, while UVB rays are more closely tied to sunburn and skin cancer risk.
Many sunscreens already on store shelves work well, but they often require multiple ingredients to provide broad protection.
Bemotrizinol is expected to launch in the U.S. in mid-August under the brand name Parsol Shield, sold by the Dutch company DSM Nutritional Products. For the first 18 months, DSM will have exclusive rights to sell it before other manufacturers can use it in their own sunscreens.
But Maymone advises not to wait for the new ingredient before protecting your skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., and exposure to UV radiation from the sun is the primary cause. Skin cancer is diagnosed in more than 3 million people each year, including more than 100,000 with invasive, dangerous melanomas.
“The (sunscreens) that are already approved are safe, and people should definitely be using those before this new one comes to the market,” Maymone said.
Protecting yourself
Maymone recommends choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapplying it every two hours, especially if you are sweating or swimming. But sunscreen is only one piece of sun protection.
Hats and UV-protective clothing are recommended, even if the temperature outside doesn’t feel like it warrants long sleeves.
“Sunscreen is important, but alone, like if you just put on sunscreen, and even if you reapply, like it’s recommended every two hours, and you go out on the hike in Colorado, sunscreen alone may not fully prevent sunburn,” Maymone said. “You definitely need more than sunscreen for prolonged outdoor activities.”
For people with melasma or pigment changes, Maymone said mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide may still be the better option because they can offer protection from visible light, which can worsen dark spots.
The new ingredient is good news, but the best sunscreen is still the one you will actually use. And in Colorado, you should use it regularly.
If you have concerns about your skin health, talk with your primary care doctor about a referral to Denver Health’s Dermatology Clinic. Schedule online through MyChart or call 303-436-4949.
