If they weren’t purchased within the last three years, assume the formula has expired. This makes it easy to know when it’s time to toss an old formula.įor SPF products that don’t have a date printed, you’ll want to keep track of when they were purchased. Some, but not all, sunscreens have an expiration date printed on their bottle. As part of this regulation, the FDA requires that all sunscreens last for at least three years without losing their potency. Sunscreens are considered a non-prescription drug and are regulated by the U.S. Yes, sunscreen does, in fact, have an expiration date. Eventually, you’ll finish the bottle, or the product will expire. These skin-protecting formulas are no-doubt good, but they can’t last forever. We’ll add one more to your list-sunscreen. You could probably spend a little time thinking it over and come up with a million areas this cliche is relevant. Always replace expired sunscreen.As the saying goes: All good things must come to an end.
The bottom line: There's no guarantee that expired sunscreen is still effective at protecting your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. When sunscreen is expired, there's simply no way to know if it is still protective or provides the benefits promised in its labeling.Īnd since unprotected exposure to the sun increases a person's risk of developing skin cancer, the FDA advises to replace expired sunscreen rather than try to use it. This means taking a sunscreen's expiration date seriously.īefore your sunscreen hits this date, its ingredients are considered stable and effective - aka, able to help protect your skin from damaging UV rays. It's an important part of reducing your lifetime skin cancer risk. Remember, sunscreen isn't just about preventing skin aging and painful sunburns. Why you shouldn't rely on expired sunscreenįor a product as important as sunscreen, you want to be sure that what you're using is effective. They can also degrade prior to the expiration date if exposed to prolonged heat or sun. The bottom line: The ingredients found in sunscreen degrade over time, reducing the effectiveness of the sunscreen. If left in the heat, such as in a hot car, or in direct sunlight for extended periods of time, ingredients can degrade more quickly and become ineffective before the expiration date.Įven if your sunscreen hasn't passed its expiration, replace it if you notice changes in color, smell or consistency - as these are signs of premature expiration. Sunscreen should be stored in a cool, dry place. What's more is that sunscreen can actually expire prematurely if stored improperly. This is why sunscreens and their expiration dates are regulated by the FDA. And, as an inactive ingredient degrades, the consistency of the product can change - affecting spreadability, as well as whether the active ingredient is able to remain active in solution.Ī less effective sunscreen means reduced protection from the sun. They also contain inactive ingredients that contribute to the consistency of the product, such as emulsifiers, and/or stability of the active ingredients, such as preservatives.īoth the active and inactive ingredients found in sunscreen can degrade over time, affecting how well the sunscreen works.įor instance, an active ingredient can break down to the point where it no longer actually helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Why does sunscreen expire?Īll sunscreens contain active ingredients that help prevent UV rays from damaging your skin. When in doubt, assume it's expired and start fresh.
Always be sure to check the expiration date before using sunscreen. The FDA requires sunscreen to have a shelf life of at least three years. The bottom line: Yes, sunscreen can expire. Since you'll likely have a hard time with that, consider writing the purchase date on the bottle and throwing it out after three years. So, if the expiration date isn't listed on the bottle, rest assured that it can be used for up to three years.as long as you can remember when that is, of course. And one of the standards the FDA holds manufacturers to is that sunscreen must remain stable and effective for at least three years. The good news, though, is that sunscreen is regulated by the FDA. Many document the expiration date somewhere on the bottle, but not all. Regardless of type or SPF, all sunscreens expire. Sunscreen does expire - even if it there's no date listed on the bottle.Īnd while you might be a little loosey-goosey with the freshness of your other skin care products here and there, you really shouldn't be with your sunscreen. It's an important step in preventing sunburns and reducing your risk of developing skin cancer over time.īut, like most everything with an expiration date.you question it now and then. Wearing sunscreen every day - especially if you plan to be out in the sun - doesn't just reduce skin aging. Sometimes, you just don't realize your sunscreen is expired until you need it.