The Rise in Homemade Sunscreen Trends and Future Impacts on Skin Cancer Risk: Systematic Review

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Not reported

• Effect Size: Not quantified; no pooled effect size reported

• Primary Outcome: Homemade sunscreens were found to offer little to no verified sun protection factor (SPF) compared to commercially available products, based on narrative synthesis of included studies and social media content analysis

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not applicable; no quantitative risk estimates, NNT, or diagnostic accuracy statistics were calculated or reported in this review

• Confidence Interval: Not reported

Clinical Application

The public health message — advising against homemade sunscreens and promoting TGA/FDA-approved products — is immediately feasible for clinicians to communicate in practice. However, the review does not provide sufficient evidence to quantify individual risk or to develop structured patient decision aids. Clinician counselling should draw on established photobiology evidence rather than this review alone. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer globally, with melanoma representing a major burden of disease. The TGA regulates sunscreens as therapeutic goods under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, requiring SPF testing to Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2604:2021. Homemade sunscreens fall entirely outside this regulatory framework and cannot carry SPF claims. The Cancer Council Australia and RACGP SunSmart guidelines recommend broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreens as part of a five-step sun protection approach. Australian GPs and dermatologists are well-positioned to address DIY sunscreen misinformation, particularly given the active social media wellness culture in Australia. PBS does not subsidise sunscreens, but Cancer Council products are widely available at cost price. The TGA has previously issued warnings regarding unregistered cosmetic and therapeutic products promoted via social media, making this review's public health message directly relevant to the Australian regulatory context. General adult and paediatric populations who use or are considering DIY/homemade sunscreen products, particularly those influenced by social media wellness content; individuals with concerns about commercial sunscreen ingredients; patients with skin phototypes I–III at highest UV damage risk

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 US 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 mathematical 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 rising popularity and efficacy of homemade sunscreens compared to commercial sunscreens and highlight 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 was 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 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 health care professionals, regulatory bodies, and online platforms to educate the public and promote the use of scientifically validated sun protection methods.

References

1. 1.Kaftan, G., Panillo, M., Maxon, L., & Esposito, E. (2026). The rise in homemade sunscreen trends and future impacts on skin cancer risk: Systematic review. JMIR Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.2196/84694