Model and content creator Nara Smith is inspiring audiences to try making cereal from scratch, make DIY throat lozenges, and whip up batches of toothpaste of bentonite clay, baking soda and peppermint essential oil. But will her latest video with her husband, Lucky Blue Smith, make people wonder? your own sunscreen?
Let’s update you:
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Who are these people? Well, Nara is a 22-year-old model, influencer and mother of three, married to fellow model Lucky. Although she already had fame, Nara gained a following on TikTok for her whimsical (and calming) cooking videos. She has become synonymous with the so-called trad wife trend, the latest incarnation of the traditional housewife. Lucky appears frequently on her page and is followed by 8.1 million people.
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The duo posted a video on June 25 sharing a homemade sunscreen recipe. “We all burn pretty easily, so we opt for something with a little more SPF,” said Nara.
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The recipe used 6 ingredients: coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil and zinc oxide powder.
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Nara stated that the product “went on very well and didn’t leave any white spots.” She didn’t mention how effective it was at protecting the skin or preventing sunburn.
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The couple is the latest in a string of influencers to share sunscreen recipes. A controversial figure, Dr. Paulo Saladinohas already faced backlash for claiming that its animal-based sunscreen is “a hundred million billion zillion times better than traditional sunscreens.”
What’s wrong with homemade sunscreen?
There’s no way to know if it’s doing its job. And most likely it isn’t.
“Homemade sunscreens are generally not effective,” Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist at Kopelman Cosmetic Surgery, told Yahoo Life. “The effectiveness of sunscreen depends on its ability to block or absorb UV radiation, which requires specific ingredients in precise formulations. Commercial sunscreens undergo rigorous testing to ensure they provide broad-spectrum protection and have a verified SPF rating.” FPS means solar protection factor, which is a measure of how well a sunscreen protects against sunburn, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The AAD recommends using SPF 30 or higher, which cannot be determined at home. “Homemade sunscreens lack these tests and regulations, making it impossible to guarantee consistent and adequate protection.” says Kopelman.
Specifically regarding Nara and Lucky’s homemade sunscreen, Dr.Los Angeles dermatologist says there are “a lot of problems” with its ingredients.
“Coconut oil and jojoba oil can attract the sun and cause sunburn. Beeswax, shea butter and cocoa butter are moisturizing, but they are not effective in protecting against the sun,” she told Yahoo Life.
The same goes for Saladino’s recipe, which includes tallow (aka rendered animal fat), which Kopelman says may have a moisturizing component and include some vitamins A, D, K, and E, but “does not protect against the sun.” . There is also a risk of bacterial contamination or skin irritation caused by animal protein.
In these and most other recipes, zinc oxide powder is the only ingredient that can offer protection from the sun when used properly.
“Zinc oxide is an ingredient in mineral sunscreens, but it should not be used at home in a homemade sunscreen,” says Amin. “The formulation is not the same as that used in sunscreens and would not offer the same protection as mineral sunscreens.”
One chemist on TikTok explained that the distribution of zinc oxide is of utmost importance, and ideal distribution cannot be achieved with a kitchen mixer or whisk, which Saladino and Smith used, respectively. She even referenced a 2020 Study which determined that many sunscreen recipes found on the internet do not have any sun protection. The most effective products had an SPF of less than 6, which is… practically non-existent.
Other content creators made videos testing homemade sunscreen with UV detection stickers.
Why This Trend Is a Red Flag
Sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of your daily skin care routine, according to Dr. Anna Chacón, a Florida dermatologist. “It is important for skin health and is a preventative product that should be applied daily. In the short term, it prevents sunburn on the skin; in the long term, it can help with anti-aging and protect against skin cancer,” she told Yahoo Life.
And perhaps even scarier than not applying any is the assumption that a homemade sunscreen can prevent these risks. Influencing TikTok followers to do just that is irresponsible, says Kopelman.
“Sharing homemade sunscreen recipes online is dangerous because it can give people a false sense of security,” she says.
The conclusion
Stick to baked goods when it comes to the homemade recipes you find online.
However, when it comes to skin care, it’s vital to look for verified products or consult your doctor about the most effective options for you. You can also try Korean sunscreens, which have grown in popularity and are dermatologist-approved. Just don’t forget to apply and protect yourself properly.
Health risks aside, a sunburn doesn’t look good on anyone – not even Nara Smith.
