On social media, there are tons of DIY beauty hacks floating about—some useful, but some potentially dangerous if you don't know the facts. One of the latter is homemade sunscreen. If you aren't glued to TikTok (we are, admittedly), then you probably missed that people are making sunscreen and sharing recipes online (a practice we don't co-sign or recommend).

Most famously, influencer Nara Smith went viral in June 2024 for sharing her at-home recipe on the app; in the video posted to her TikTok account, Smith's husband, Lucky Blue Smith, combined ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and zinc oxide powder to make a concoction at home. The video, unfortunately, isn't the first of its kind, as numerous at-home sunscreen DIY recipes have circulated on the web. 

Ahead, we spoke to board-certified dermatologists to break down the dangers and risks of attempting a DIY sunscreen and what to do instead to ensure you're getting the proper protection.

What Makes an Effective Sunscreen?

Before we get into why homemade sunscreen is an absolute no-no, let's talk about what makes sunscreen effective. "An effective sunscreen is proven and tested in an FDA-approved lab to prevent burning while also keeping the skin moisturized and healthy," Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York and founder of MMSkincare, says.

FDA standards

The FDA classifies sunscreen as a nonprescription drug and has set standards that a product must meet to make specific claims. For example, products with broad-spectrum labeling must undergo broad-spectrum testing, which demonstrates their effectiveness in protecting against UVA and UVB rays. In addition to testing to support claims of broad-spectrum accuracy, Asmi Berry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Glendale, California, notes that FDA-approved sunscreen formulas are also tested for shelf stability and safe UV filters, further illustrating the rigorous quality control that approved sunscreen formulas undergo before reaching your face.

Sun Protection Factor

Beyond being vetted by the FDA, Dr. Berry advises that your sunscreen should have a minimum SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher and be used daily (most dermatologists co-sign this, FWIW). "The SPF level on a package—like SPF 30 or 50—indicates how much UVB protection the product provides, and UVB is what causes sunburn," Dr. Berry says. "So, essentially, the SPF level means how long it would take for the skin to burn."

Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, breaks it down further: "If it takes one minute for your unprotected skin to start turning red in the sun, using an SPF 30 sunscreen should prevent reddening 30 times longer," she explains. "So the number of minutes it takes for your unprotected skin to turn red multiplied by the sun protection factor gives you the theoretical number of minutes that it will take before your protected skin starts to turn red."

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Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreen

Additionally, there are two different types of sunscreen to consider: mineral and chemical. "Mineral sunscreens use ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which sit on top of the skin to create a physical barrier," Dr. Marmur says. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens are made of chemical filters that are absorbed into the skin. "These filters—typically oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene or homosalate," Dr. King says.

The one you use is totally up to you and boils down to preference. "Some people want to avoid chemical filters; in that case, I say try a mineral formula," Dr. Berry says, adding that—ultimately—the most effective formula is one you enjoy using daily.

Can You Make an Effective Sunscreen at Home?

All that to say, you shouldn't make sunscreen at home. "The idea of homemade sunscreen is risky," Dr. Marmur says. "DIY sunscreens don't go through any of the strict quality control rules or any testing, so there's no way to know if they block UV rays accurately."  

Beyond simply not knowing if your skin is adequately protected (which defeats the entire purpose of using sun protection), the ingredients used in an at-home recipe (such as certain oils or natural extracts) can also increase your skin's susceptibility to sun damage. "The main risks of homemade sunscreens include ingredients that can backfire, contact dermatitis, sunburns, rashes, hyperpigmentation, scarring, premature aging, uneven protection, and a false sense of security," Dr. Marmur says. "All of that comes with an increased risk of skin cancer, wrinkles, and sunspots."

If you're looking for safe ways to increase your sun protection, experts say you've got plenty of options, including UV-blocking sunglasses, broad-brimmed hats, and UPF clothing. "Brands like Solibari and Wallaroo make great UPF sun accessories," Dr. Berry says. "You can always use gloves, hats, and UPF umbrellas in addition to sunscreen for more protection."

The Final Takeaway 

Experts say that while some beauty products are fine to attempt at home, others should be left to the experts, and sunscreen is high on the list of items they do not recommend making on your own. "Sun protection is way too important to try an untested and unproven DIY version—DIY is fine when the stakes are lower," Dr. King says.

Ultimately, Dr. Berry emphasizes the importance of ensuring that your sun care advice and recommendations come from trusted sources. "Not everything viral is vetted, and when it comes to sun safety, there's no room for experimentation because UV radiation can be very harmful," Dr. Berry says, adding that she sees patients with skin cancer almost daily. "If you see sun protection advice online and are considering taking it, make sure it's coming from someone qualified and trained in the science."