Does Sunscreen Expire?
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I’m guilty of keepingsunscreensfor many seasons — there’s a bottle of Coppertone I’ve had for at least four years, but recently I started wondering,Does this stuff expire?It would make sense, given that my makeup products have a use-by date, butsunscreens, especially ones I use on my body, come in such large quantities that it’s difficult to get through a bottle. To find out, I asked cosmetic chemist and sunscreen expert Dr. Julian Sass.
Does sunscreen expire?
Yes. According to Sass, sunscreen expires around three years after manufacturing. “Once you’ve opened the product, you generally want to use it within six months,” he says. This ensures that the sunscreen you’re using is relatively fresh. Many sunscreen bottles have the expiration date printed on the packaging. For formulas that don’t, three years is a good rule of thumb, but remember that’s from the date of manufacture, not when you purchased it. There’s a chance the sunscreen could already be expired three years post purchase.
How can I tell if my sunscreen is expired?
If there isn’t an expiration date on the bottle, check the smell or texture or color. If any of those things have changed, it’s best to toss it. Even if it does look okay, I’d recommend throwing it out if it’s been longer than three years, just to be safe.
What happens when sunscreen expires?
As the product expires, two things happen. First, the preservatives start to break down. This, says Sass, makes products more susceptible to contamination and microbial growth like mold, which can cause skin irritation and inflammation. When sunscreen expires, the ingredients that hold water and oil together start to degrade and become less effective. “Once the product starts to separate, you may not have an even distribution of UV filters, so the protection that the product provides can decrease.” says Sass. Over time, the SPF filters may offer little to no protection, making the product essentially useless.
Is expiration time the same for mineral and chemical sunscreens?
Yes, the time frames are the same. When thinking about sunscreen expiration more broadly, Sass encourages thinking less about the filters themselves — “They aren’t really a concern to consumers,” he says — and more about the product as a whole, which contains binding ingredients, oils, and water. Those ingredients do degrade and separate over time, and at the same rate, regardless of filter, so the guidance is the same.
Can I still use my expired sunscreen?
Technically, yes, but it isn’t offering the same sun protection advertised on the bottle. Post-expiration, it’s a toss-upin terms of efficacy, so it’s best to buy a new bottle to be safe. Additionally, as those ingredients begin to separate, there’s a higher chance of skin irritation.
OurFavoriteSunscreens
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EltaMD makes some of our favoritesunscreens. The brand’s moisturizing formulas tend to contain both mineral and chemical filters and they feel really nice on. This facial sunscreen is probably our most-recommended SPF and is beloved by dermatologists, too. It also contains antioxidants to protect from environmental damage from UV rays, and niacinamide, which helps to brighten skin over time and address any discoloration.
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This mineral formula is whisper-light and moisturizing at the same time. It has a lightweight, matte finish that sits nicely under makeup and comes in a range of tinted options to suit most skin tones.
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Blue Lizard is a popular choice here at the Strategist, especially for kids (two of our editors use it on their entire families). The mineral formula doesn’t have any fragrance or chemical filters, which makes it good for sensitive skin. Another nice feature is that it turns blue in UV light to remind you to reapply.
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For spray-sunscreen fans, we recommend this one from Sun Bum, which contains vitamin E and is widely available at drugstores. The one thing to keep in mind is getting enough coverage with a spray (you still need the shot-glass amount!) so it’s important to apply liberally and rub it in.
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I recently wrote about the proliferation ofsunscreen oils, a newish format that’s become popular in recent years. I personally like it for the glow. This one from Vacation has the brand’s signature Chardonnay scent and soaks easily into the skin.
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