3 Dermatologists Warn Against Making Your Own Sunscreen: Here’s Why

Have you ever scrolled on TikTok or Instagram and come across a confident, clear-skinned creator touting a miracle product that helped clear their acne, eczema or anything in between? If the issue the creator had is one that you’re desperately hoping to resolve, it can be difficult to resist buying the product to try yourself.

But with so many skincare trends floating around social media, it’s hard to know which ones you can trust, and which ones are nonsense. At the end of the day, the only person you should really be getting skincare advice from is a professional, such as a dermatologist or esthetician.

So, to learn more about recent viral skincare trends, Parade spoke with three dermatologists: Dr. Kellie Reed, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin; Dr. Latanya Benjamin, MD, FAAD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatric dermatologist and the founder of Young Skin MD; and Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

All three dermatologists agree on one viral skincare trend that you should never try at home. They also all share a few viral skincare trends that they actually do like! Keep reading for their insights.

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3 Dermatologists Agree: This Is the 1 Viral Skincare Trend You Should Never Try

Dr. Jaliman, Dr. Reed and Dr. Benjamin all agree that one viral skincare trend that isn’t worth the hype is making your own sunscreen.

“This is one DIY skincare trend I would absolutely avoid,” Dr. Reed says of homemade sunscreens. “Commercial sunscreens go through extensive testing to ensure they provide the SPF and broad-spectrum protection advertised on the label. When you make sunscreen at home, there’s no reliable way to know how much protection you’re actually getting or whether the ingredients are evenly distributed.”

Dr. Reed adds that “simply mixing [ingredients] together doesn’t guarantee effective sun protection,” even if you’re using ingredients known to block UV rays, such as zinc. “People may think they’re protected when they’re actually exposing their skin to significant UV damage. Sunscreen is not something you want to experiment with by making it at home.”

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Dr. Benjamin concurs, pointing out that efficacy is a huge issue when it comes to DIY sun protectants.

“How can we know if the do-it-at-home sunscreen cocktail will actually work and safely protect an individual from the damaging rays of the sun?” she explains. “There is no guarantee that mixing various ingredients at home will make an effective sunscreen.”

She notes that when it comes to sunscreens, “testing is key”—and anything homemade won’t have been tested sufficiently.

“Protection comes from the right SPF, the right amount applied and the right ingredients,” she adds. “Trends that encourage making your own product don’t account for all the rigorous formulation testing and safety standards that currently exist for commercially available sunscreens, which are usually shelf-stable and built to last.”

Dr. Jaliman sees things similarly, and notes that on TikTok, she’s observed creators spreading misinformation about SPF. For instance, she saw one creator “saying that sunscreen is made of toxic chemicals that are more dangerous than the sun itself. Clearly not true!”

She adds that “making safe and effective sunscreen is a complicated process” and one that cannot easily be replicated at home.

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What To Look for in a Face Sunscreen, According to Dermatologists

“I always recommend choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher,” advises Dr. Reed. “There are so many great options available now, including mineral-based formulas (physical sunscreens) for people who prefer zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.”

“I would recommend finding a commercially available sunscreen that contains the active ingredient that matters most to you,” Dr. Benjamin adds. “Most people are comfortable with minerals on their skin. In that case, I would recommend a fully mineral-based sunscreen containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.”

While Dr. Jaliman agrees on the importance of wearing sunscreen daily, she prefers chemical sunscreens over mineral sunscreens.

“Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50 and pick one that is a chemical sunscreen,” she advises. “I always recommend that my patients look for a high concentration of zinc oxide, 15% or above.”

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But overall, “consistency is the most important thing with sunscreen,” according to Dr. Jaliman.

“Make certain that you use your sunscreen every day rain or shine, because ultraviolet light passes through the clouds,” adds Dr. Jaliman. “If someone regularly uses sunscreen, they will help prevent skin cancer, decrease fine lines and wrinkles and improve the quality of their skin.”

Dr. Reed agrees, adding that “the best sunscreen is the one you will use consistently,” and she encourages her patients to “apply it generously and remember to reapply every two hours when outdoors, especially after swimming, sweating or toweling off.” And for extra sunny days, she recommends wide-brimmed hats and UPF 50+ clothing.

These 7 Viral Skincare Trends Are Actually Dermatologist-Approved

Below, you’ll find seven viral skincare trends that Dr. Jaliman, Dr. Reed and Dr. Benjamin approve of—that said, make sure to consult a professional before trying new skincare products if you have any concerns.

1. Hypochlorous acid sprays

“This is one trend I actually love, especially for patients with sensitive or acne-prone skin,” Dr. Jaliman says of hypochlorous acid sprays.

“Hypochlorous acid has antimicrobial properties and can help calm irritated skin, making it a great addition to a skincare routine, particularly after sweating or exercising,” she adds. “I will often layer this under my skincare regimen since I tend to be acne prone.”

2. Hydrating face masks

“People are loving the self-care they feel when treating their skin with a face mask,” says Dr. Benjamin. She is a fan of these at-home masks, as long as you find one with “non-irritating, simple ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid.”

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3. Azelaic acid

“The best viral trend I saw on TikTok was azelaic acid,” says Dr. Jaliman. “I recommend azaleic acid daily in my practice. It improves acne because it has antibacterial properties. It also helps brown discoloration as well as redness. In addition, it’s anti-aging.”

4. LED red light therapy

“Red light therapy has some promising science behind it, particularly when it comes to reducing inflammation and supporting collagen production,” says Dr. Reed. “While at-home devices aren’t as powerful as professional treatments, consistent use of a quality device may help improve overall skin texture and fine lines over time.”

That said, she doesn’t recommend at-home LED red light therapy for anyone who’s melasma-prone.

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5. Pimple patches

“Not all brands are created equal, but the majority of them work well,” Dr. Benjamin says of pimple patches. “I love the ones that add extra ingredients, such as aloe or salicylic acid, depending on the skin’s needs. Keeping hands off the face and discouraging picking is an extra boon.”

6. Skin cycling

“I love the idea of skin cycling because it encourages people to be more intentional about their skincare rather than layering on too many active ingredients at once,” says Dr. Reed.

Skin cycling involves “alternating nights with exfoliating products, retinoids and recovery-focused skincare,” something that Dr. Reed says “can help minimize irritation while still allowing patients to benefit from effective ingredients. It’s especially helpful for people who tend to overdo their skincare routines or get too irritated from layering products.”

7. Vitamin C serum

Dr. Jaliman is a fan of the vitamin C serum trend, as this simple product can be “promote collagen production, so it improves fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps even skin color.”

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Sources:

• Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

This story was originally published by Parade on Nov 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Beauty section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.