Safe to say that were all well-versed in basic sunscreen commandments.
Thou shall usebroad-spectrum SPF 30 protection every day.
And reapply said sunscreen every two hours.
Photographed by Helmut Newton,Vogue, December 1974
But using sunscreenor any skincare product in generalpast its shelf life can come with some major consequences.
Does sunscreen expire?
To put it bluntly: yes.
There will come a time when even the best sunscreens are no longer effective.
But it’s possible for you to expect sunscreens in general to last anywhere between two to three years.
Why does sunscreen expire?
All beauty products expire, says Robinson.
How long does sunscreen last?
(This can be six or 12 months, he says).
Then it can be considered expiredthree years afterthe date of purchase.
Does expired sunscreen work?
Technically, it might still work.
Youll also want to follow best sunscreen practices, such as reapplying it every two hours.
But even then, using expired sunscreen isnt recommended, he says.
You should always have a go at usesomething that hasnt expired.
What happens when you use expired sunscreen?
Expiration dates indicate the day beyond which sunscreen is no longer effective, says Koestline.
You risk getting sunburns when using an expired sunscreen as the protection is no longer guaranteed.
She goes on to explain that sunscreen formulas work so that UV filters are applied evenly over your skin.
King adds that expired sunscreen could potentially irritate the skin.
Both experts and the FDA strongly advise using expired sunscreen and tossing it all together.
How can you tell if your sunscreen has expired?
The easiest way to tell if your sunscreen has expired is bylooking at the label.
How do you properly store sunscreen?
Koestline says to keep products in a place thats dry and at room temperature at a minimum.
For best results, King says to opt for a cool, dark place.
