ASPO Abstracts
Do-It-Yourself Sunscreen Tutorials on YouTube
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Sunscreen is a common but complex sun safety product regulated in the US as a non-prescription drug. Recently,
contributors on social media such as YouTube and Pinterest have advocated for making your own sunscreen at
home. Such online tutorials likely represent misinformation in that they present an untested product as a safe
replacement for a regulated drug. Purpose of the Study: To describe Do-It-Yourself sunscreen tutorials on
YouTube, to determine whether viewers are making sunscreen, and whether specific misinformation is crowd-
corrected in the online environment. This study demonstrates the use of online comments to identify behavioral
outcomes of misinformation on social media.Method: We searched YouTube (March 2019) using search terms DIY
sunscreen and Do-It-yourself sunscreen and selected the top 15 English-language videos sorted by relevance and
views (N = 30). We double-coded the recipes for inclusion of FDA-approved photofilters, ingredient
measurements and product claims (e.g., SPF level). We collected and coded all viewer comments (N = 2,477) for
valence, presence of comments suggesting use on children is safe, crowd-correction by the online community, and
indication of past or planned behavior change. Results: Most videos (67%) included SPF claims that were not
accompanied by testing. Zinc oxide was the only photofilter used (present in 83%) and 17% of recipes contained
no FDA-approved photofilters. Ingredient quantity was imprecise or absent in 23% of recipes. A notable fraction of
videos (33%) had all supportive and no critical comments. Many videos (47%) had comments indicating a plan to
use the recipe on babies, toddlers or children. Response to comments about use on children did not correct this
misinformation. Comments indicated viewers had made or planned to make the recipe in 63% of videos.
Discussion: Sunscreen is a drug intended to prevent sunburn and cancer, yet recipes for DIY sunscreen
mischaracterize resulting product properties, thus misinforming the public. Further, viewers of DIY sunscreen
videos frequently post positive comments regarding homemade sunscreen and do not correct false statements
regarding their safety for use on infants and children. Making sunscreen, especially for use on children, may lead
to skin damage.
Keywords: Sunscreen, social media, sun safety, YouTube, information