A dollop of coconut oil, a spoonful of shea butter, a dash of jojoba oil, and a pinch of zinc oxide powder. What if making sunscreen was like baking? That’s what model couple Nara Smith and Lucky Blue Smith seem to think. In a TikTok video that’s been viewed millions of times, they explain how to concoct a cream that’s supposed to protect against the harmful effects of the sun. But that’s not the opinion of dermatologists, who are protesting this homemade formula.
Homemade sunscreen increases risk of skin cancer
« Experts create products according to precise formulas; attempting this process at home without being a chemist can lead to products that are ineffective, don’t last long, or react badly with the skin. The recipes are much more complex than they seem ” says Marisa Plescia, vice president of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists in the United States, New York Times.
« Using ineffective homemade sunscreen exposes you to ultraviolet rays, increasing your risk of skin cancer and accelerating signs of aging, such as wrinkles and sun spots. ” adds Dr. Brooke Jeffy, a board-certified dermatologist in Arizona.
“A false sense of security”
Nara Smith rose to fame on social media through cooking, DIY cosmetics and wellness videos. The South African model, now a wife and mother of three, is part of a wave of controversial influencers who believe that chemical sunscreen is harmful and causes skin cancer.
« Homemade sunscreens should be avoided because there is no way to know how effective the formulation is and how much protection it will actually provide. », continue Marisa Garshick. « This can give a false sense of security and leave someone vulnerable to sunburn or risk of irritation.. »
10 precautions to take before going in the sun
The National Union of Dermatologists and Venereologists has published a booklet on the ten precautions to take against the harmful effects of the sun:
• the best protection is clothing for everyone (and especially children): hat, sunglasses, t-shirt;
• babies and young children should not be exposed to direct sunlight;
• sunburn is dangerous, especially in children;
• avoid direct exposure between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.;
• sun exposure must be gradual;
• sand, snow, water can reflect more than half of the sun’s rays onto your skin;
• your sunscreen, anti UVB and anti UVA, must be renewed every two hours and after each swim, whatever its protection index;
• use the sunscreen suitable for your skin type;
• the sunscreen is not intended to increase your exposure time;
• at altitude and in the tropics, it is necessary to increase the sun protection factor of the product normally used.
Source: www.topsante.com
