Brace yourselves: Your patient’s 'natural sunscreen' might be watermelon juice
Key Takeaways
Industry Buzz
"No amount of watermelon juice will replace sunscreen for sun protection. I’m a huge advocate for using natural supplements when it’s clinically warranted, but this is dangerous and can be putting several people at risk for skin cancer." — Ethan Melillo, PharmD, pharmacist
If you thought social media trends couldn’t get any worse for sun safety, think again. A new video is going viral claiming that watermelon juice can replace sunscreen—prompting dermatologists to issue a collective please, no.
Ethan Melillo, PharmD, put it best in an Instagram Reel he made : “Just when I think I’ve seen everything, the internet surprises me.”
More about the trend
The latest social media claim circulating widely is that watermelon juice can serve as a natural sunscreen alternative.
While this may seem harmless at first glance, it underscores the growing need to address misinformation that can lead to real health consequences, particularly in the realm of sun protection.
In a widely shared video, a content creator suggests using watermelon juice in place of sunscreen, citing its antioxidant properties—specifically, its lycopene content.
While it’s true that lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in watermelon and other red fruits, it does not function as a UV filter.
Sunscreens, by contrast, contain clinically validated active ingredients—such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and octisalate—which absorb or reflect ultraviolet radiation. []
These ingredients are designed to prevent UV-induced DNA damage, reducing the risk of photoaging and cutaneous malignancies.
Related: Is 'body wash sunscreen' the next big anti-aging product?How to talk to your patients about sun protection
Analogies like the one used in the viral response video from Dr. Melillo can be helpful for patient education: Antioxidants like lycopene may offer systemic health benefits, but they are not a physical barrier to UV exposure.
Just as a smoothie won’t protect you in a car crash the way a seatbelt can, fruit juice applied to the skin won’t protect against sunburn or long-term sun damage the way a regulated sunscreen product will.
As dermatologists, this trend presents an opportunity to reinforce evidence-based skin protection. In your patient conversations and online content, it may be useful to:
Clarify the difference between antioxidants and UV filters
Highlight the importance of broad-spectrum SPF 30+ use
Encourage critical thinking about skin health content on social media
In an age where online trends can influence health behaviors, professional voices in dermatology remain essential in promoting safe and effective skincare practices.
Related: Social media influencers claim sunscreen is toxic