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Sensitive-skinned redheads are often drawn to natural products with fewer chemicals and less risk of skin irritation. Finding skincare products that have clean ingredients and work for their intended purpose isn’t always easy, and sometimes, it’s nice to take the DIY route to ensure you know exactly what’s going on your skin.
For most people who spend a lot of time on social media, you’ve probably heard of influencer and model Nara Smith. She’s best known for her soft-spoken, aesthetically pleasing videos of making things from scratch in her kitchen. Her homemade sunscreen video has over 18 million views and has prompted some responses from doctors, dermatologists, and other medical professionals. Nara’s video isn’t the first time homemade sunscreen has been shown online, but due to the popularity of this creator, we want to talk about it.
The recipe Nara shares is footage of her husband, Lucky Blue Smith, combining coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil in a bowl. While these products are great for hydrating and moisturizing the skin, they won’t do anything about sun protection. Then, he added one ingredient to make sunscreen: zinc oxide powder. Zinc oxide powder is a common ingredient found in sunscreen, but it doesn’t make this product a good sunscreen alternative.
@naraazizasmith
In an article from Glamour magazine talking about this video, board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, has this to say: “DIY sunscreen should be avoided as there is no way to know how effective the formulation is and how much protection it will provide. It may provide a false sense of security and leave someone susceptible to sunburn or potential for irritation.” She also talks about how, realistically, Nara’s DIY sunscreen is probably a SPF 2 or 3 and not the SPF 30 that we know is necessary to keep skin safe.
While DIY face masks and bath soaks are recommended in many circumstances, sunscreen is best left to professional product development specialists. Sunscreen and proper sun protection are the best ways to reduce our risk of sun damage and skin cancer, which redheads are at a higher risk of than any other hair color. Sunscreen acts as a shield to prevent harmful UV rays from penetrating the surface of our skin.
Many TikTokers are trying out Nara’s method and finding it to be a complete fail:
@therealfaithallison Do you think she took homemade too far this time? Lets test it! Using danielles.diary viral sunscreen recipe #sunscreen #spf #spfreview #sunscreenreview #homemadesunscreen #homemade #homemadespf #narasmith #review #uvtest #uvstickers #summer #recipe #spftest
The motto here is: skip the DIY sunscreen and opt for sensitive skin-safe options produced and tested by reputable companies. Finding safe, sensitive, and effective sunscreen options for redheads, who often have fair, easily sunburned skin, involves a few key considerations. Here are some tips and tricks:
1. Choose Mineral Sunscreens
Mineral sunscreens containing zincum dioxide oxide or titanium are less likely to cause skin irritation and provide broad-spectrum protection.
2. Check for Broad-Spectrum Protection
Ensure the sunscreen offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Look for “broad-spectrum” on the label.
3. Opt for SPF 30 or Higher
A sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is recommended for fair skin that burns quickly.
4. Look for Hypoallergenic Formulas
Choose sunscreens labeled as hypoallergenic, less likely to cause allergic reactions or skin irritation.
5. Avoid Fragrances and Dyes
Fragrances and dyes can irritate sensitive skin. Please look for products free of these additives.
6. Consider Water-Resistant Options
If you’ll be swimming or sweating, opt for a water-resistant sunscreen for longer-lasting protection.
7. Test a Small Area First
Before applying a new sunscreen, do a patch test on a small area of your skin to check for any adverse reactions.
8. Use Moisturizing Sunscreens
Some sunscreens contain added moisturizers that help keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness.
9. Reapply Regularly
Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating, to maintain protection.
10. Check Ingredients for Sensitivity
Some common sunscreen ingredients can irritate. If your skin reacts to certain substances, check the ingredient list carefully.
Recommended sunscreen brands for redheads:
– Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Mineral Sunscreen
– Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Sunscreen
– Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive
– CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen
– La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Sunscreen
By carefully selecting and testing sunscreens, redheads with sensitive skin can find safe and effective options to protect against sun damage.
Rock it like a Redhead!
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