Health experts warn against dangerous DIY sunscreen trend

Medical experts are warning against the rising trend of homemade sunscreen recipes shared on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. These DIY mixtures, often containing ingredients such as olive oil, shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, and zinc oxide, frequently fail to meet scientific standards for sun protection.

Specialists express concern that these unregulated products lack tested efficacy against UVA and UVB rays, unknown water resistance, and uncertain shelf life. This creates a false sense of security, potentially increasing the risk of skin cancer as users believe they are protected when they are not. The issue was a dedicated topic at the 21st Francophone Congress of Allergology.

Dermatologist Françoise Giordano from the University Hospital of Toulouse noted that these products are not regulated or tested like commercial sunscreens. The trend is fueled by misinformation and alternative health theories, sometimes amplified by public figures, which incorrectly link commercial sunscreens to skin cancer.