Sunscreen expiry: What to know

Sep 14, 2023

Sunscreens expire after three years or by the expiry date on the package. Expired sunscreen may separate, be grainy, or have lumps in it, and it may be less effective. Storing it in a cool and dry place will help maintain the quality.

Sunscreen offers SPF protection against harmful UV A and B rays, which are known to cause:

However, like any other drug, sunscreen expires because the ingredients can “spoil” or separate. This may result in changes to its color, odor, and consistency, making the sunscreen less effective or ineffective.

Sunscreen can lose strength and become unstable over time. Other factors like heat and humidity can also speed up its breakdown.

This article explores when sunscreens expire, how to detect expired sunscreen, the risks of using it after its expiration date, and how to store and use sunscreen.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all sunscreens to have expiration dates unless the manufacturer conducts stability tests showing that the product will remain stable for at least three years.

People should treat sunscreen bottles with no expiration date as expired once they have had the bottle for 3 years. It may be a good habit to write the date of purchase on products without expiration dates so a person will know when to throw them out.

A person should not use expired sunscreens or sunscreens purchased 3 or more years ago. There is no assurance that they are still safe and effective in preventing sunburns.

The best way to identify if an expired sunscreen is to check the label for an expiration date. Most bottles have it stamped at the bottom of the bottle or its packaging.

It is important to note that the expiration date assumes that people store their sunscreen correctly. People should store their sunscreen in a cool, dark, dry spot. Sunscreens expire more quickly if stored in an unsuitable environment, such as in heat from sunlight.

If the expiry label has worn off or it is impossible to remember the purchase date, a person can look for any changes in its color, texture, consistency, or smell before applying it to the skin.

A watery consistency, separation, lumps or little pebbles, graininess, or grittiness of the sunscreen are telltale signs that it expired.

An expired sunscreen means that its active ingredients have broken down and are no longer effective at protecting a person against UV rays.

The two types of sunscreen are physical and chemical.

Physical sunscreens — also called mineral sunscreens or sunblock — contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. This type of sunscreen may remain stable longer due to its ingredients, but they also degrade over time. A person may have difficulty spreading it evenly on the skin, causing uneven coverage.

Chemical sunscreens contain UVB and UVA blockers. This type of sunscreen undergoes molecular changes when exposed to sunlight and heat. While it may still offer some protection, its SPF rating might not be as high as what is on its label.

Sunscreen is crucial because it reduces the risk of UV rays penetrating the skin.

Without adequate protection, a person is at risk of developing sunburns, most often linked to UVB rays. Exposure to harmful free radicals from UVA rays can also accelerate skin aging. This exposure increases a person’s risk of skin cancer.

Below are some storage tips to keep sunscreens in good condition.

The FDA recommends that people should avoid exposing sunscreen containers to direct sunlight. Heat and sun exposure can cause the active ingredients in the formula to degrade faster, which is why all sunscreen labels must contain the text: “Protect the product in this container from excessive heat and direct sun.”

While sunscreen protects the skin against many potential problems, it is ineffective when misapplied.

Read more about the best sunscreen to use here.

Correct and liberal sunscreen application can protect the skin from skin damage. A 2020 study found that sunscreens reduce the risk of melanoma, squamous cell cancers, and basal cell carcinoma — the most common type of skin cancer.

Another study from 2020 states that the regular use of sunscreen helps provide photoaging protection.

Aside from using sunscreens, people may also opt for other forms of skin protection, such as wide-brimmed hats, umbrellas, and protective clothing.

Sunscreens have a shelf life of at least 3 years. If there is no expiration date on the bottle, a person should check for signs of breakdown, such as changes in its appearance, consistency, or smell.

While expired sunscreens may still offer some protection, using them may pose risks to a person, like an increased chance of sunburn.