How Long Does Sunscreen Last?

It’s important to be an informed consumer and look out for yourself—especially with something as critical to your health as sun protection. You need to check your sunscreen for an expiration date—at home and in the store (just like you’d check a gallon of milk). Unfortunately, some popular stores sell sunscreens past their expiration dates, unbeknownst to sun-fearing customers.

Whether you find an old bottle of sunscreen in your cabinet or are purchasing a new product, you may wonder—just how long does sunscreen last? Here’s all you need to know—from finding sunscreen expiration dates to how to tell if your sunscreen bottle is expired.

Does sunscreen expire?

Yes, your sunscreen can expire. Most beauty products have expiration dates somewhere on their label, but you might not realize it because they can look different than the expiration dates you’re more accustomed to on food. Even unused, unopened sunscreen can expire since the ingredients can degrade over time.

It’s important to check the sunscreens you already have in your bathroom cabinets and scope out the labels on sun-protection products before you even buy them to ensure the formulas still work. Expired sunscreen is not as effective (and, in some cases, may not be effective at all), and using it could result in unexpected sunburns or skin damage.

While expired sunscreen is not as effective and can even cause sunburn or other skin damage, it’s OK to use expired sunscreen in small amounts. This depends on how far past the expiration date you attempt to use it and on the product’s condition. If your sunscreen still looks, smells, and feels the same as the original product and it’s no more than six months past its expiration date, you can use it in small quantities.

Sunscreen shelf-life

Though the FDA warns that sunscreens should list an expiration date, unfortunately, not all sunscreen products display expiration dates. If the product doesn’t have a date listed (or you can’t find it), you can consider the sunscreen good for three years after its purchase, assuming the store is not stocking expired sunscreen.

Tip

To help keep track of the sunscreen expiration and help you remember when it was purchased, mark the date of purchase on the bottle with a permanent marker.

If you can’t remember when you bought a bottle of sunscreen and there’s no date printed on it, the safest practice is to throw the bottle away. In such a case, you can’t be sure how long the sunscreen product is good for or if it sustained any environmental damage that shortened its lifespan.

How to tell If your sunscreen is expired

Sunscreen expiration dates come in different forms, and sometimes they’re a little hard to decipher. Some are typed out plainly and directly in places like the bottom of an aerosol can, while others are embossed on the top part of plastic bottles as a [less-than-intuitive] set of numbers. Numbers not written in the typical date format used in the United States may be difficult to interpret.

Deciphering some sunscreen expiration dates

For example: On a bottle of Banana Boat sunscreen, the first two numbers represent the year the product was manufactured, while the next three indicate the exact day of the year. So, if you saw a number starting with “17364,” that date would be December 30, 2017 (since December 30th is the 364th day of the year).

Beyond looking for the expiration date, other ways to tell if your sunscreen is expired or unusable include its scent, texture, and color. Get rid of any sunscreen that’s a different color, texture, or smell than it was originally when purchased (even if the expiration date is still in the future).

These telltale signs indicate that the sunscreen is old or was not stored effectively. You should also return any sunscreen with an off smell, color, or texture upon first use, assuming you shook the bottle adequately to mix the product (mineral sunscreens always need to be shaken before applying).

Tips for storing sunscreen

Sunscreens, like a lot of products, need to be stored in certain conditions, so they don’t go bad prematurely. The FDA says you should avoid putting your sunscreen in direct sunlight—a hazard of probably every place you’re toting your SPF this summer.

Worry not, though! Here are some ways to protect your sunscreen.

• Wrap in a towel. While soaking in the sun rays at the pool or beach, wrap the sunscreen in an extra beach towel or your clothes. This is better than leaving the sunscreen bottle out in the sun.
• Keep in the shade. Store your sunscreen in a bag to keep it out of the sun. You can also put it under a hat or in a shady spot of your set-up.
• Put in a cooler. If you’re without a beach bag, towels, or shade, put the sunscreen in a cooler. As long as it doesn’t leak or contaminate food products, it’s safe for the sunscreen to be stashed away.
• Store in a dry, cool place. At home, it’s best to store sunscreen in a cool, dark, and dry spot—like a closet or cabinet. Avoid humidity, heat, and of course, direct sunlight. Avoid keeping sunscreen in your car due to the excessive heat, which can also alter the product and its effectiveness.

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK to sleep with sunscreen on?

It’s best to avoid going to sleep with sunscreen still on and instead wash it off your skin. While it’s not necessarily harmful, leaving sunscreen on at night can lead to skin irritation, clogged pores, and acne breakouts. That’s because your skin’s natural oils have nowhere to go due to the sunscreen layer.

What is the difference between sunblock and sunscreen?

Sunblock and sunscreen are not the same products. In general, sunscreen absorbs the sun rays before they penetrate your skin, while sunblock creates a protective layer on top of the skin that reflects rays.

Each product is made with different ingredients, so it’s important to look at the labels. However, the FDA has stopped manufacturers from using the term “sunblock” (along with “waterproof” and “sweatproof”) to avoid consumer confusion, so you probably won’t see it on store shelves.

How should I apply sunscreen?

Sunscreen application is just as important as the type of sunscreen you buy. Most doctors recommend using at least broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside.

It’s best to reapply sunscreen every two hours, plus after sweating or getting wet. Be sure to follow the instructions on the sunscreen bottle, and don’t forget to use sunscreen on your face, too!