A damaged container is another indicator to discard it as chemicals or bacteria may steep into the sunscreen.Īnother question we often receive is: how long does sunscreen last when applied on the skin? The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of your sunscreen is only effective for two hours after you put it on. Moreover, most manufacturers ensure that sunscreen doesn’t react to its bottle. If the consistency is off when you apply your sunscreen, this could be another indicator to throw it out. In that case, your sunscreen will expire sooner than later. Suppose you stored your sunscreen in a warm place, such as a car or gym bag, or under direct exposure to UV light. A bad smell is generally an indication that your sunscreen has been exposed to bacteria. If there’s a change in color or smell, toss it. You can also look for indicators to know your sunscreen has expired. It’s a good idea to write it with a marker on the bottle, so you don’t forget about it. In that case, you can write down the month, and year you purchased your sunscreen. In most countries, you won’t find an expiration date on a sunscreen lotion. Make sure to discard your sunscreen after this date, as it won’t be effective in blocking UV rays or sunburn.
What if there isn’t any expiration date mentioned? According to the FDA, you can assume it is good to use for 3 years past its buying date.
#DOES SUNSCREEN EXPIRE HOW TO#
How to determine whether your sunscreen has expired or not? Look for the expiration date mentioned on the bottle or packaging. They do so by breaking down the chemicals, thus making your sunblock expire.
Furthermore, don’t place your sunscreen in direct sunlight and heat as they can cause your sunscreen to become less effective over time. And so increasing your risk of sunburn and cancer.
#DOES SUNSCREEN EXPIRE SKIN#
However, we advise you to use your sunscreen before the expiration date for best sun protection with better stability, texture, and sterility.ĭoes using expired sunscreen still work? After reaching the expiration date, your sunscreen will likely become less effective to protect your skin from UV rays. Or you can use your sunscreen for 3 years if the manufacturer has proven its product to last for the expected expiration date. How to find when does your sunscreen expires? You can flip the sunscreen bottle and look for the expiration date to determine how long your sunscreen will last. In contrast, chemical sunscreens absorb in the skin, change ultraviolet rays into heat, and release them from the body. But what’s the difference between the two types of sunscreen? A physical sunscreen covers your skin and reflects ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays. However, physical sunscreens have a longer shelf life and are more stable as compared to chemical sunscreens. Likewise, sunscreens with zinc oxide may lose potency after passing their expiration date. For example, homosalate and oxybenzone-containing sunscreens may begin to oxidize. The expiration date is usually 3 years after the sunscreen is made.Ĭan sunscreens go bad? Yes, the ingredients of the formula can lose their effectiveness after some time. The date shows when the sunscreen is no longer effective. That’s why the Food and Drug Administration requires sunscreens to have an expiration date mentioned. So how long does sunscreen last? The ingredients in sunscreen can go bad. Read on to find if expired sunscreen is better than no sunscreen. But why an expiration date? What happens when sunscreen expires? This includes wearing sunglasses, protective clothing, and not exposing your skin in the sun’s peak hours. In fact, your sunscreen is a crucial component of a complete sun protection strategy.
Not only does your sunscreen protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but it also lowers the risk of skin cancer and protects from premature aging. Nowadays, sunscreens have become much more effective in protecting skin from the sun’s rays. Some sunscreens have an expiration date mentioned on the bottle, indicating how long the sunscreen is good for.ĭermatologists constantly reinforce how important it is to use sunscreen on vulnerable skin. In other words, you should be able to use your sunscreen for 3 years. You might wonder: When does sunscreen expire? Or can I use expired sunscreen?Īccording to the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA), sunscreens are required to stay in their original effectiveness for at least 3 years. To protect your skin, you reach into your bag, just to found yourself with an old bottle of expired sunscreen. It can cause sunburns, wrinkles, premature aging, leathery skin, and even cancer. You love relaxing on the beach under the bright sun, but what about your skin? Your skin doesn’t like the sun’s ultraviolet rays. On a hot, hazy day of summer, you’re on a beach with the sun rising overhead.