You’re about to head to the beach when you suddenly realize you’re staring at a tube of half-used sunscreen that expired last month. But does sunscreen expire? The answer to this is yes. But according to dermatologists, this is a qualified affirmation. Sunscreen won’t work forever.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires sunscreen manufacturers to indicate expiration dates on their products unless they have been shown to be stable for at least three years. If there is no expiration date, you can assume that the sunscreen is valid for three years from the date of purchase.
But that’s not all there is to sunscreen spoilage. It’s summer, and here are the things to know about sunscreen and its expiration date.
When Does Sunscreen Expire?
Sorry, but if your sunscreen bottle has expired, you’d better throw it away. Some dermatologists say you may still be able to use it a month or so after it expires, while others are wary of making such recommendations.
“If you want a strict legal letter, then if it expires, you should throw it away,” said Dr. Melanie Palm, MD, MBA, medical director of Art of Skin MD. “If there’s still a month or two before the expiration date, I won’t worry.”
It’s also worth noting that unopened sunscreen bottles are different from opened ones. Skylar Souyoul, MD, a dermatologist at New Orleans’ private practice, said, “Once something is turned on, it doesn’t stay the way it is. ”
In addition, if you leave the bottle in the car in hot weather, the heat will also accelerate the decomposition process. “My point is, why take this risk?” Melissa Piliang, MD, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, said. She recommends checking your existing sunscreen every year when the weather starts to warm up and throwing out anything that goes bad.
What Happens After Sunscreen Expires?
You may be wondering what will happen if you continue to apply some to your skin.
“If it’s expired within the last three months, it’s probably better than nothing,” Souyoul said. “But if it expires three months ago or a year or two ago, it’s probably no better than nothing.” There may be no active ingredient in it anymore.”
This means that you will not get any protection from the sun’s harmful rays. You can end up getting sunburned and increase your chances of developing other damage, such as skin cancer.
To further prove what shape your sunscreen is, watch it carefully as you open the tube and spray a little onto the palm of your hand. Factors such as time or storage in a hot place may cause the ingredients to begin to separate. You may notice ingredients separating out, or you may smell a strange smell that lets you know that something is not quite right.
“Over time, the ingredients in sunscreen may separate or change, causing them to no longer apply smoothly and evenly to the skin,” says Piliang.
So, if it doesn’t look or smell like it should be, or you can’t blend it smoothly into your skin, check the expiration date again. Even if it hasn’t expired, you may want to replace it to ensure that the product you get protects your skin effectively.
The Importance of Applying Sunscreen
If you have expired sunscreen around you, think about it: you may not be using it enough! The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you apply an ounce of broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on your bare skin every time you go out. Imagine a glass filled with sunscreen: that’s how much you need to use.
Unfortunately, most people tend to skimp on sunscreen. AAD reports that only people use only 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen.
Palm points out that if you apply the recommended amount of sunscreen every time, one tube of sunscreen won’t last long. “If you wear sunscreen properly, you should wear sunscreen,” she said.
If you apply the recommended amount and then reapply as directed, an eight-ounce tube of sunscreen may only allow you to use it on the beach for a few days. (Dermatologists emphasize that don’t forget to reapply, especially if you’re sweating or swimming.) ）
Tips to Control the Condition of Sunscreen
Pick up a pen. When you buy a new sunscreen, pay attention to the expiration date. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends writing the purchase date on the side or bottom of the tube or bottle so you don’t have to remember when to buy it or when to throw it away.
Reorganize your sunscreen collection. Where do you store your sunscreen? Place the oldest expired bottles in front of your cabinet or closet so you can use them first.
Rethink your buying habits. You may want to stock up on sunscreen so you have enough on hand. But will you run out before expiration? If you don’t run out, evaluate your buying patterns to better match your actual usage.
