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Expert issues urgent warning as homemade SPF trend sweeps social media
As the summer sun shines bright, experts are emphasising the importance of wearing a high-quality SPF daily, regardless of the weather.
However, a concerning trend has emerged on social media, where influencers are promoting homemade sun protection solutions, leading to urgent warnings from skincare professionals.
The trend has gained traction thanks to popular influencer Nara Smith, a 22-year-old South African content creator known for her "trad wife" lifestyle and cooking mini-vlogs.
With a cult following of 8.9 million on her TikTok account, @naraazizasmith, Smith recently ventured into the wellness realm by posting a video on June 25 showcasing her homemade suncream recipe.
The video features Smith and her husband, U.S. model Lucky Blue Smith, concocting an SPF using coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and zinc oxide powder.
A concerning trend has emerged on social media, where influencers such as Nara Smith (pictured, R) are promoting homemade sun protection solutions
Smith and her husband, U.S. model Lucky Blue Smith, concocts an SPF in a TikTok video using coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and zinc oxide powder
In the clip, the content creator insists the product 'goes smoothly' on the skin and 'doesn't leave a white cast.'
This homemade SPF trend fits seamlessly into the one of the many TikTok fads, where controversial wellness influencers often claim that commercial SPF products are harmful and can cause cancer.
Smith's video has since inspired dozens of creators to share their own DIY sunscreen recipes - however, skincare experts are sounding the alarm about the potential dangers of this practice.
Dr. Ahmed el Muntasar, a GP, skin expert, and aesthetics doctor, has partnered with SPF brand Hello Sunday to discusses why SPF is needed and why you shouldn't be attempting to create a DIY version yourself.
He said: 'SPF is the most important step in your skincare routine because ultimately it helps you protect your skin from UV light, prevents signs of aging and maintains integrity of skin. Overall, it's a really good habit to maintain and to keep.'
He warned against the DIY SPF trend, emphasising the difficulty in achieving the right consistency and concentration needed for effective sun protection.
Dr Ahmed continued: 'DIY SPF is something that I'm very much against because ultimately it's actually quite difficult to make SPF at the right consistency and at the right concentration and it might give you the false security.
'You may think you are being protected when you've messed up the ingredients and actually you're not getting the protection that you want.'
Smith's video has since inspired dozens of creators to share their own DIY sunscreen recipes using similar ingredients
Dr. Ahmed el Muntasar, a GP and aesthetics doctor, warns against the trend, emphasising the difficulty in achieving the right consistency and concentration needed for effective sun protection
Thousands of TikTok users have also echoed these concerns, condemning Smith's alternative to commercial sun protection
He also highlighted the issue of uneven distribution with homemade sunscreens, which can result in some areas receiving inadequate protection. 'Overall, not Dr. Ahmed approved,' he concluded.
Thousands of TikTok users have also echoed these concerns, condemning Smith's alternative to commercial sun protection, as one user commented: 'Yeah, homemade sunscreen is also homemade melanoma.'
Another added, 'I love this girl, but this is not a good idea,' while a third quipped, 'Y'all are going to FRY this summer with this concoction.'
It comes as another expert reveals the 11 most common sun cream mistakes, including taking medicine that interferes with SPF and leaving cream bottles in the sun.
According to Cancer Research UK, 86 per cent of UK melanoma skin cancer cases are preventable.
Which? have gathered together 11 of the most common sunscreen mistakes to avoid so you can ensure that you are safe in the sun.