When you stumble upon that forgotten bottle of sunscreen in your cabinet or beach bag, it’s important to check its expiration date before applying. Using expired sunscreen can lead to ineffective sun protection and increase the risk of sunburns, skin damage, and skin cancer, according to dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park. The sunscreen ingredients break down over time, rendering the product useless in protecting your skin from harmful UV rays.
Both chemical and mineral sunscreens are affected by expiration. Chemical sunscreens with filters like avobenzone and octinoxate tend to oxidize and lose efficacy over time. Mineral sunscreens may not have the same issue with their filters, but other ingredients in the formula can still go bad, reducing their ability to protect the skin. For those with sensitive skin, using expired sunscreen can cause skin allergies or irritant dermatitis.
However, in a pinch, using expired sunscreen is still better than not using any at all. If you have no other options, go ahead and choose the expired sunscreen over no protection. To compensate for lowered efficacy, apply more sunscreen and reapply more frequently.
To check if sunscreen is expired, most sunscreens have a shelf life of about three years. The expiration date can usually be found on the tube, bottle, aerosol can, or label. If the sunscreen doesn’t have an expiration date, it should be considered expired three years after purchase, according to the FDA. Consider writing the month and year of purchase on the sunscreen container with a permanent marker to keep track of its expiration.
Signs that sunscreen has gone bad include a funky smell, clumping, separation, or significant pilling when applied. If you notice any of these changes, it’s time to throw it away. Opening the sunscreen does not speed up the expiration process, as long as it has been stored at room temperature. However, exposing sunscreen to heat or sunlight can lead to faster product degradation.
When storing sunscreen, keep it in a cool, dry, and dark place. Avoid storing it in a humid bathroom, but instead opt for your bedroom or a closet. If you’re heading outdoors, keep the sunscreen in the shade, inside a bag, or wrapped in a towel. It’s essential to protect sunscreen from heat and sunlight exposure to maintain its effectiveness.
Remember, using sunscreen is crucial for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, so make sure to check the expiration date and use it within its recommended shelf life.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
