Can you use last year's sunscreen?

Anyone would be proud to have an extensive collection of sunscreens. However, why would we want so many expired bottles? We are not referring to the moisturizing sun cream that we use every day, but to the typical one from the beach.

We usually buy a bottle of sun cream and only use it for a few days throughout the year. Perhaps to go to the beach, walk or ski. Unfortunately, the cost of annual sun protection is usually higher than what we actually use. So can you still use last year’s cream? Or should we buy a new one?

sunscreen expires

Reusing the cream that we bought last year may not be the most advisable. This really depends on when we buy it, where we keep it, and how it looks and feels. The chemicals in any type of sunscreen break down over long periods of time and eventually become less potent.

The sunscreen must be within its expiration date and PAO or hourglass symbols. Also, it should have been stored in a cool, dark place. It should also look and smell like before, and not have a sticky or runny texture . If your cream was regularly exposed to direct sunlight during a hot beach vacation, it’s probably better to be safe than sorry and buy a new one.

However, it is not known what would happen if we use expired sun cream. If we use it after the expiration date, it may still have some UV-blocking power, but it won’t be as full-strength as stated on the label. Even sunscreen with a high SPF like 75 can’t safely protect once it’s expired. We can’t tell if a post-expiry SPF has dropped to 70 or, say, 5, unless we have a chemical lab that you can use to test the product.

Sunscreen does not have an embedded time bomb that will immediately render it useless once its recommended date expires. But since there is no way of knowing how much (if any) of the SPF has been left after its expiration date, any expired sunscreen should be considered ineffective.

bote de crema solar

How long does it last once opened?

Sun cream, in theory, should last around 36 months. But that’s from when they’re first produced, not when we buy them, or even when they hit stores. Once the sun cream is opened, it is suitable to be used for around 6 to 12 months . However, certain factors can affect its longevity, including where it is stored. It is recommended to keep it in a cool and dark place, rather than in a hot place or exposed to sunlight. Therefore, beach days accelerate its expiration.

Also, if there is any change in the formulation, the product should not be used. For example, if it seems much more watery or sticky compared to normal, or if the color and smell have changed. It is advised to err on the side of caution as this is sun protection so it is very important that the product has not started to degrade or oxidize.