Does Sunscreen Expire?
As a dermatologist in Miami, one of the most common questions I receive from patients is, “Does sunblock expire?” You see, many of us here in Miami have sunscreen in our car, pool bag, beach bag and purse that we may find months later and wonder if the sunscreen is still good. If it is expired, can we still use it? What are the risks of using expired SPF?
These are valid concerns, as using expired sunscreen can lead to reduced effectiveness and potential skin issues. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the topic of sunscreen expiration, including when sunscreen expires, how long sunscreen lasts, what happens when you use expired sunscreen.
Does Sunscreen Expire? Understanding Sunscreen Shelf Life and Stability
Sunscreen Expiration
Sunscreen expire. They expire faster when opened or when exposed to heat and sun. SPF expirations dates apply to unopened sunscreen stored away from sun and heat.
SPF Expiration Dates
All sunscreens have an expiration date code on them. The expiration date sunscreen code helps consumers determine the shelf life of their sunscreen products. The FDA regulates sunscreen labeling to ensure the expiration date is clearly displayed and easy to find, typically on the bottom of the container or directly on the packaging. Expiration dates may be presented in a coded format, with letters and numbers indicating the manufacture date and lot number.
The FDA requires all sunscreen products to display an expiration date unless stability testing shows the product remains stable for at least three years. The expiration date must be displayed clearly, using a format like “EXP” or “Expiration Date” followed by the month and year.’
If a sunscreen product does not have an expiration date printed on the packaging, it typically means that the manufacturer has conducted stability testing showing that the product remains stable and effective for at least three years from the date of manufacture when unopened.
If a product doesn’t have an expiration date, it must include a “period after opening” (PAO) symbol indicating how long the product remains stable after opening.
It’s important to note that this three-year stability applies only to unopened products.
Sunscreen Shelf Life
Unopened sunscreens need to be discarded within 3 years or by the expiration date on the product- whichever comes first. The sunscreen shelf life frame depends upon the ingredients in the formulation.
How Long Does Sunscreen Last?
Sunscreen does have an expiration date, and it’s essential to pay attention to it. Most sunscreens are designed to remain stable and effective for up to three years from the date of manufacture. However, this can vary depending on the specific product and storage conditions. If you keep your sunscreen in a cool, dry place like the refrigerator, it may last up to two years once opened. But if you store it in your car or pool bag, where it’s exposed to heat, it may lose its effectiveness sooner.
How Long Does SPF Last Once Opened?
Once a sunscreen is opened, it should be used within 12 months, to ensure optimal effectiveness and safety. However, this time is shorter if the opened sunscreen was exposed to sunlight or heat. This is why you should not keep SPF in your car or boat unless you replace it often. I tell my patients to use sunscreen within a month of opening it if possible.
What Happens If You Use Expired Sunscreen?
Don’t use expired sunscreen. There are many side effects that can occur- and you will not get the same level of sun protection.
Using expired sunscreen can have several consequences:
Reduced Effectiveness: As sunscreen ages, the active ingredients can break down and lose their ability to protect your skin from UV rays. This means you may be more prone to sunburn, even if you apply the sunscreen as directed.
Increased Free Radicals: When chemical sunscreens deteriorate, they can release free radicals, which may damage your skin cells and lead to premature aging.
Allergic response- some types of chemical sunscreens can decompose into allergens, making it more likely for you to have an allergic reaction or sun sensitivity caused by photoallergens.
Difficulty Spreading: Physical sunscreens, like those containing zinc oxide, can become thick and difficult to spread evenly on your skin when they expire.
Sunblocks That Become Photoallergens
Certain sunscreen ingredients can become photoallergens when exposed to heat and sunlight for extended periods. These include:
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
PABA
Avobenzone
Replace Expired Sunscreen
Is your sunscreen expired and you need a new one? We can help! Shop our collection of bestselling sunscreens and dermatologist favorites.
Sunscreen Stability Testing and Storage
The FDA regulates sunscreen as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, requiring manufacturers to conduct stability testing to determine the product’s shelf life. This testing involves exposing the sunscreen to various temperatures and conditions to see how long it remains effective. Most sunscreens are tested at temperatures between 40°F and 100°F.
To ensure your sunscreen lasts as long as possible, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid leaving it in your car or pool bag, where it can be exposed to high temperatures. You can also keep sunscreen in the refrigerator to make it last longer.
Sunscreen should be an every day part of your daily skin care routine. We can help you design the perfect custom skin care routine. All you need to do is find out which of the 16 Baumann Skin Types you are, and then we help you build a dermatologist recommended skincare routine that includes a daily sunscreen.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
