Press Release
February 25, 2026
Princeton, New Jersey February 25, 2026
dsm-firmenich, the leading innovator in nutrition, health, and beauty, today announces that Health Canada has officially added PARSOL® Shield (Bemotrizinol) to the Secondary Sunscreen Monograph at concentrations up to 6%, marking an important regulatory advancement for sun protection technologies across cosmetic and multifunctional product categories.
PARSOL® Shield has long been permitted under Canada’s Primary Sunscreen Monograph, where sun protection is the main intended function of the product. Until now, the ingredient had not been listed for use in products where sun protection plays a secondary role, such as daily-wear cosmetics and multifunctional skincare products. The updated monograph closes this gap by permitting PARSOL® Shield in a wider array of formulations.
“This milestone aligns with dsm-firmenich’s ongoing efforts in the United States to secure FDA approval of PARSOL® Shield as a sunscreen active ingredient. Health Canada’s decision to update the monograph reflects a strengthened industry alignment and reinforces the strong safety and efficacy profile of PARSOL® Shield as a highly photostable, broad‑spectrum UVA/UVB filter” says Amy Ethier, PhD, Regulatory Affairs Manager North America, Beauty & Care.
Issued in December 2025, the updated monograph will enable broader use of PARSOL® Shield in sunscreen‑containing products sold in Canada, offering formulators enhanced flexibility to develop innovative formats that meet evolving consumer needs. This regulatory progression supports dsm-firmenich’s commitment to advancing high-performance UV filters while expanding market opportunities for its customers.
PARSOL® Shield will revolutionize skin protection with broad-spectrum performance even at low levels. With regulatory approvals already in place across multiple regions, PARSOL® Shield enables the development of truly global chassis formulations — simplifying your product strategy, reducing complexity, and accelerating time to market. PARSOL® Shield provides effortless compatibility, rock-solid stability, and the freedom to build those silky, lightweight textures consumers love. Sensorial experience is everything when it comes to daily sunscreen habits — and this ingredient finally bridges high performance with real wearability.
As a global leader in the suncare industry, dsm-firmenich is recognized as a trusted and responsible partner, driven by award-winning science and state-of-the-art capabilities. With a long-standing commitment to Public Skin Health, we are now making history with PARSOL® Shield. dsm-firmenich remains dedicated to supporting the industry with high-quality UV filters and will continue to collaborate with regulatory bodies worldwide to advance modern, science‑driven approaches to sun protection.
About dsm-firmenich
As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. dsm-firmenich is a Swiss company with dual headquarters in Kaiseraugst, Switzerland and Maastricht, Netherlands, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than €12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life every day, everywhere, for billions of people.
Beauty & Care
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For more information
Amy Ethier, PhD
Global Regulatory Manager, Beauty & Care
Amy.Ethier@dsm-firmenich.com
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to dsm-firmenich’s future performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of dsm-firmenich and information currently available to the company. dsm-firmenich cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance, transaction progress and positions to differ materially from these statements. dsm-firmenich has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. This communication contains information that qualifies as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The English language version of this press release prevails over other language versions.