SynthesisJMIR dermatology2026
The Rise in Homemade Sunscreen Trends and Future Impacts on Skin Cancer Risk: Systematic Review.
Synthesis in JMIR dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
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.
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