With the sunny days fast approaching, applying sunscreen is a must to avoid skin damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer. However, if you have leftover sunscreen from last summer, you may wonder whether it is still safe and effective to use or not.

What happens to sunscreen over time?

Like most skincare products, sunscreen does have an expiration date. Over time, the active ingredients in sunscreen can degrade, making it less effective in protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

This means that using expired sunscreen could leave you with a sunburn or other forms of skin damage.

Additionally, sunscreen can also lose its efficacy if it is exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight for extended periods. This could happen if you leave your sunscreen in your car or out in the sun while at the beach.

The elevated temperatures can cause the sunscreen’s ingredients to break down, rendering the product ineffective even before its expiration date.

How long does sunscreen last?

The FDA requires that all sunscreens retain their full potency for at least three years. However, this timeframe applies only to unopened, properly stored products. Once you break the seal, the sunscreen’s ingredients can start to degrade.

The same rule applies to sunscreen that has been exposed to high temperatures, direct sunlight, or water.

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As a general rule, sunscreen that was opened last summer is best not to be used again this year. Its ingredients may have lost some of their effectiveness, making it less likely to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

How to store sunscreen properly?

The key to making sunscreen last as long as possible is proper storage. Keep your sunscreen in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Never leave it in your car or other hot places for an extended time.

Also, make sure to check your sunscreen’s expiration date before applying it to your skin. If the sunscreen is expired or there is no date printed on the bottle, it is best to discard it and purchase a new one.

What are the risks of using expired sunscreen?

Using expired sunscreen can expose your skin to the sun’s harmful rays, leading to sunburn, skin aging, and skin cancer. Furthermore, expired sunscreen could also cause allergic reactions, rashes, and other skin irritations.

Conclusion

While it may be tempting to use last year’s unused sunscreen to save money, it is generally not recommended.

Sunscreen ingredients can degrade over time, and expired sunscreen can leave you with sunburn or skin damage, not to mention the risk of allergic reactions and rashes. If you want to ensure your skin is fully protected from the sun’s harmful rays, investing in a new bottle of sunscreen each year is the best course of action.