Homemade sunscreen recipes on Pinterest do not offer effective UV protection, study finds

Most-recommended ingredient in homemade sunscreen recipes is coconut oil

Recipes for homemade sunscreen on Pinterest provide insufficient UV protection, a study has found.

In recent years, there has been an increase in interest for natural or organic products, including sunscreens.

However, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Centre for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Brooks College of Health at University of North Florida, 68 per cent of homemade sunscreen recipes result in insufficient protection.

The study, published in the journal Health Communication, also found that despite having minimal “scientifically proven broad-spectrum protection from UV radiation,” many of the sunscreen recipes are widely shared as being able to offer protection and as safe alternatives to commercial sunscreens - with SPF claims made in 33.3 per cent of pins with a range of SPF 2 to SPF 50.

To test the effectiveness and safety of these recipes, researchers searched Pinterest for the terms “homemade sunscreen” and “natural sunscreen” and then sampled every fifth pin.

The pins were coded into categories such as craft-based, if language such as “do-it-yourself” was used or health-based if it featured phrases such as “healthy” or “non-toxic”.

Pins were also categorised by whether they were attempting to sell a product - such as those promoting already developed natural sunscreens or essential oils.

Of the 189 pins analysed, 95.2 per cent positively portrayed the effectiveness of homemade recipes, according to the researchers, with some recipes saved more than 21,000 times - despite the majority not offering sufficient protection.

According to researchers, coconut oil was the most recommended ingredient in the recipes, found in 66 per cent of the pins, followed by essential oils including lavender and raspberry, and shea butter.

Only three of the pins “highlighted concerns about skin cancer as a result of sunburn and cautioned against relying exclusively on homemade sunscreens”.

In addition to inaccurate claims of sun protection, the pins also promoted the idea that making your own sunscreen is easy to do at home.

Of the study’s findings, Lara McKenzie, PhD, co-author and principal investigator in the Centre for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's, said: “The internet is a great place for families to go to for recipe inspiration and arts and crafts projects, but not necessarily for making their own safety-related things.

“Homemade sunscreen products are risky because they are not regulated or tested for efficacy like commercial sunscreens. When you make it yourself, you don't know if it's safe or effective.”

In the US, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the country, with the American Cancer Society estimating that 20 per cent of Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

To minimise the risk of skin cancer, the American Cancer Society advises frequent applications of broad-spectrum sunscreen, which protects against UVA and UVB radiation.