JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The trend of homemade sunscreen recipes has rapidly gained popularity over the last decade, being largely fueled by social media influencers, natural health blogs, and the growing mistrust of large health organizations like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Consumers are increasingly drawn to products labeled “natural,” “organic,” “vegan” and “cruelty-free,” often conflating these terms with safety and effectiveness. However, when applied to sun protection, these assumptions can be dangerously misleading. According to the FDA, there is no verified formula that can be used to determine an accurate Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating for the amount of zinc oxide used in many of the recipes found online.

Objective:

The objective of this review is to examine the methods of formulation and efficacy of homemade sunscreens compared to commercial sunscreens and explore the potential public health implications of skin cancer risk related to homemade sunscreen use.

Methods:

Multiple databases were searched to find current and relevant literature analyzing the social media impact relating to homemade sunscreens and the efficacy of homemade sunscreens compared to commercially available products. Digital content that included or discussed homemade sunscreen recipes were included as well to provide examples of information trending online.

Results:

One study analyzing social media trends found that many strong, unverified claims relating to homemade sunscreen versus commercial sunscreen use are being presented in the media, potentially influencing public knowledge. Additional studies analyzing the components of homemade sunscreen recipes compared to components in commercially available products found that homemade sunscreens offer little to no sun protection, therefore increasing the risk of Ultraviolet (UV) damage for individuals using homemade products.

Conclusions:

Based on the presented evidence, the adoption of unregulated homemade sunscreens presents a substantial threat to public health. Misinformation spread through social media and influencer culture may unintentionally contribute to an increase in UV-related skin cancers. Greater efforts are needed from healthcare professionals, regulatory bodies, and online platforms to educate the public and promote the use of scientifically validated sun protection methods.