Sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but how long does sunscreen last? And how do you know if your sunscreen is past its expiration date? The shelf life of sunscreen is an important aspect that is often overlooked. The protection offered by sunscreen decreases over time. If your sunscreen is past its expiration date and you use it anyway, it could mean the difference between effective protection and getting burned. Furthermore, we naturally don't want to just throw away old sunscreen that is still perfectly usable (it's planet-friendly!). In this blog, we list 3 tips to check if your sunscreen is still good. This way, you too can head into the summer well-protected!
Table of contents
#1 Why is the shelf life of sunscreen so important?
#2 How long does sunscreen last? - Check the packaging!
#3 What is the shelf life of unopened sunscreen? – Check the hourglass icon
#4 Check if the product has changed
#5 Unsure if your sunscreen is past its expiration date? Better safe than sorry!
#6 What can you do with old sunscreen?
#7 Still looking for your sunscreen for this summer?
#1 Why is the shelf life of sunscreen so important?
The shelf life of sunscreen directly affects the level of protection your skin receives against harmful sun rays. If you use sunscreen that is past its expiration date, it may be less effective. This means your skin won't get the promised SPF protection, which can lead to getting burned more quickly. This can result in premature skin aging, pigment spots, and even an increased risk of skin cancer. By paying attention to the shelf life of your sunscreen, you ensure that your skin remains optimally protected. Before you head out, check if your sunscreen is past its expiration date. Below, we have listed 3 tips to determine this.
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#2 How long does sunscreen last? - Check the packaging before throwing away old sunscreen
Start by checking the packaging of your sunscreen. It often provides the answer to how long your sunscreen lasts.
- Look for the expiration date often printed on the tube or bottle. This indicates the shelf life of the sunscreen if it remains unopened.
Tip: sometimes the expiration date is printed on the top edge of the tube, so you may need to look closely under a bright light.
- Look for a symbol of an open jar with a number inside, such as 12M or 24M, which indicates how many months the sunscreen is good for after opening. Did you open the bottle at the beginning of last summer and the packaging says 12M? Then the quality, and therefore the protection factor, of your sunscreen may have declined this summer.
It is good to know that the shelf life of sunscreen varies by brand and product. Some sunscreens maintain their effectiveness for up to three years after production, while others may become less reliable after just one year. If your sunscreen is older than the stated shelf life, it is time to replace it. You can no longer be certain of its protection.
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#3 What is the shelf life of unopened sunscreen? – Check the hourglass icon
Some sunscreen products have an hourglass icon on the packaging. This symbol indicates the shelf life of unopened sunscreen. It means that the sunscreen should be used within a certain period after the production date, regardless of whether it has been opened or not.
Tip: Check this if you are buying multiple tubes at once, for example. The quality of an unopened product can also sometimes deteriorate due to factors such as exposure to heat or direct sunlight. Therefore, always store your sunscreen in a cool, dark place to preserve the quality and shelf life of your product.
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#4 Check if the product has changed
Pay attention to changes in the color, smell, or texture of the sunscreen. If, for example, the sunscreen has developed a different odor, is discolored, or if the texture has changed (e.g., become clumpy or watery), this is a sign that the sunscreen is past its expiration date and no longer offers the protection you need. The shelf life of sunscreen depends not only on time but also on how the product has been stored. Exposure to heat or sun can alter the chemical composition of the product, causing the protection factor to decrease.
The quality of sunscreen is crucial for effective protection against UV radiation. Sunscreen that is no longer usable can lead to sunburn and skin damage, even if you apply the product generously. Therefore, it is important to look at the product itself, regardless of the expiration date, to see if the sunscreen is past its prime. Take extra good care of your skin in the summer with, for example, a night cream from Derma.
#5 Unsure if your sunscreen is past its expiration date? Better safe than sorry!
If you have any doubts about the shelf life of your sunscreen, it is better to be safe than sorry. Sunscreen that is past its expiration date can lose its effectiveness, putting you at risk of sunburn and damage from UV radiation. It is better to buy a new bottle than to gamble on the protection of an old one.
- Tip: Note the date on the packaging when you purchase sunscreen using a waterproof marker or a small label. This makes it easy to check at the beginning of each summer season if the sunscreen is still good.
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#6 What can you do with old sunscreen?
If your sunscreen is past its expiration date and the bottle is still full, it unfortunately must be disposed of with residual waste. Do not pour sunscreen or oil down the drain. Residues of greasy skincare products can cause problems in the sewage system. Empty packaging for sunscreen cream or oil can be disposed of with plastic, metal, and beverage cartons (PMD). How can you prevent having to throw away your tube of sunscreen?
- For example, buy multiple small containers of sunscreen throughout the season, so you avoid having a lot of product left over at the end.
- Or make sure you use the product completely. We are exposed to UV radiation even outside the summer season, and a little extra protection can be beneficial for your skin!
Want to know more about which products go into which waste bin and why? Check out the waste separation guide from Milieu Centraal.
#7 Still looking for your sunscreen for this summer?
If you are looking for new natural sunscreen for this summer, check out our products from Derma Sun and Sol de Ibiza. Both offer excellent protection and are gentle on the skin and the environment. Do you have to throw away your old sunscreen now? Opt for smaller packaging, such as the 100mL Derma sunscreen, to finish this summer and reduce waste. If you order your sunscreen now, you will always be well-prepared for a sunny day! Sunscreen past its expiration date? Order your natural sunscreen at Grace is Green now!