"You’re Likely to Burn": We Investigate the Dangerous Rise of Homemade Sunscreen

Whether you've had to make beauty budget cuts due to the cost-of-living crisis putting a strain on your finances, or you prefer a "natural" skincare approach, there is a point where "money-saving" beauty hacks go too far. Enter the latest TikTok trend: homemade SPF sunscreen.

According to Melanoma Focus, 1 in 36 men and 1 in 47 women in the UK will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime. It's the deadliest form of skin cancer and is in the top five most commonly diagnosed cancers in the UK, killing 2,333 people per year. But, 86% of melanomas are preventable.

Getting Brits to wear sunscreen on a daily basis is one issue we're already trying to tackle (32% of British people reported rarely or never using sunscreen when in the UK and only 11% saying that they always use it) and people understanding how to use an SPF correctly is another to overcome entirely.

So to also see the rise of homemade sunscreen on social media platforms is incredibly worrying. For instance, DIY queen Nara Smith recently shared her homemade sunscreen recipe, showing her husband Lucky Blue Smith making the skincare product in a bowl. The video has achieved over a million likes.

And Smith isn't the only creator to make her own sunscreen. TikTok creators have been using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in their simplest form to create mineral SPFs and some are also using a range of oils, including olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil, as well as high-comedogenic ingredients like cocoa and shea butter.

To find out if it's possible or even safe to make homemade SPF, we turned to the experts.

Cigdem Kemal Yilmaz is a world-renowned chemical engineer and founder of Skin Masterclass.
Dr Kemi Fabusiwa is NIVEA's skincare expert ambassador.

Chemical engineer Cigdem Kemal Yilmaz has warned that homemade SPF can cause more harm than good, and skimping on the price of the product can cost way more. "I would highly advise against creating your own sunscreen," she tells PS UK. "There are so many affordable options out there that won't break the bank, but will ultimately (and crucially) protect your skin.

"In a nutshell, sunscreen is very tricky to formulate, not to mention that sunscreens undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they are effective, safe, and stable."

She adds that homemade SPF will only be able to offer a little amount of protection against sun damage, which is prevalent in the UK. "This means that you're more likely to burn, leading to an increased risk of melanoma (skin cancer)," Yilmaz says.

Similarly, skincare expert, Dr Kemi Fabusiwa tells us that homemade SPF is unlikely to have accurate measurements, and therefore, cannot claim an accurate SPF rating. "Creating and sharing homemade SPF products on platforms like TikTok can be risky due to various factors, one being lack of the numerous testing procedures used in commercial products to make them safe.

"Moreover, commercial sunscreens, like Nivea Sun's UV Face Specialist Triple Protect SPF50+ (£10), contain stabilisers and preservatives for long-term effectiveness, unlike homemade versions that may degrade quickly, leading to potential bacterial growth and skin irritation."

Nivea Sun's UV Face Specialist Triple Protect SPF50+

From

£10

£10 at Favorboots

The oils used in the homemade SPF concoction, including coconut oil, have their own benefits and are praised for their moisturising, nourishing properties. However, when used for sun protection as a natural SPF, their benefits don't carry through.

Many experts warn against using a natural oil to help speed up the tanning process or to protect your skin from sun damage and skin cancer, and Yilmaz echoes this message. "You shouldn't rely on oils like coconut and avocado oil wholeheartedly to protect your skin from sun damage and skin cancer. Gone are the days of using oils to help us 'tan faster', so why are we using them to protect our skin now?"

While some studies claim that aloe vera offers UV and sun protection, Yilmaz confirms that it actually offers an extremely small amount of protection, which isn't really enough to serve as a sun protection at all.

"Aloe vera does not have the adequate properties to protect your skin from sun-damage, sunburn or skin cancer," she tells us. "However, it's a handy ingredient to have on your shelf to soothe sunburnt or dehydrated skin. In short, Aloe Vera gel should not be used as a substitute for your regular sunscreen - simply put, it doesn't provide sufficient sun protection, and therefore can leave you susceptible to serious skin damage."

Lauren Gordon is the editorial coordinator at PS UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.