DIY sunscreen doesn’t stand up to SPF scrutiny

Maybe you don’t like slathering your skin with chemicals. Maybe you worry about damaging coral reefs when you swim. As appealing as lavender, shea butter, coconut oil, and carrot oil sound in homemade lotions endorsed on Pinterest as sun protection, they don’t stand up to scrutiny. In a new study in Health Communication, researchers combed through 189 of the most popular sunscreen recipes on Pinterest and found that despite claims of up to 50 SPF, the highest level they could confirm — from other research on the favorite coconut oil — ranged from 1 to 7 SPF. “It is concerning that the ingredients recommended in the home-made sunscreens offer minimal scientifically proven broad spectrum protection from UV radiation, yet seem to be widely shared and promoted as safe alternatives,” they write.