Does the sunscreen expire? Conservation and safety time advice

The sunscreen protects the skin from ultraviolet rays (UV) from the sun. Applying a sunscreen before spending time outside can help reduce your risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

Using sunscreen beyond its expiration date may not protect your skin from damage, as the product could be less effective.

The sunscreen expires. An expiration date is the last day that a drug manufacturer or a manufacturer may ensure that the drug is safe and operates as expected (is effective) if it is properly stored. A manufacturer will generally determine the expiration date by testing the stability of a drug in different environments depending on factors such as temperature, exposure to light and humidity.

The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) requires that all over-the-counter drugs (OTC) have an expiration date. The exception to this rule is if the drug manufacturer has tested the product and can prove that the drug does not expire for at least three years. If he is not able to prove, the FDA recommends a three -year expiration date for the notch.

If your sunscreen has no specific expiration date listed on the container, you should consider that it has expired three years from the date you bought it. To remember, you can write the date you bought the product on the container.

The FDA recommends that you do not use sunscreen that has passed its expiration date or has no expiration date and was bought more than three years ago. The use of an expired sunscreen is probably safe, as long as there are no obvious signs of degradation or degradation, such as changes in color, consistency or odor. However, using an expired sunscreen may not protect your skin from the sun.

The expired sunscreen may also not work, increasing your risk of skin damage and sunburn. If sunscreen is not stored properly, it can also decompose before its expiration date or become contaminated by bacteria, causing a rash or redness when applied.

If necessary, using an expired sunscreen is better than using sunscreen, as it can offer some sun protection. If the product looks like, feels or feels different from habit, it is better to throw it away.

Check the label of your solar product to see how long it lasts. You can hear this called a “retention period” of a product. The shelf life means how long you can expect a medication to look at and act as expected.

The sunscreen generally expires after three years. If the product has been exposed to high temperatures, like leaving it in direct sunlight by a hot day, it may not work so effectively.

Mineral vs chemical

There are two different types of solar screens: minerals and chemicals. A mineral sunscreen (also called physics) is on your skin, physically blocking UV rays. Mineral sunscreens are commonly made of ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

The chemical sunscreen penetrates your skin and absorbs UV rays, making them less harmful. Current ingredients in chemical sunscreen include oxybenzone, avobenzone and octocrylene. Apply a sunscreen about 15 to 20 minutes before going out because it needs time to absorb the skin to be effective.

The ingredients found in mineral sunscreen are photo-plus, which means that they do not decompose or do not react when exposed to heat or light. For this reason, some believe that mineral sunscreen is more stable and lasts longer than chemical sunscreen. This can be true if your sunscreen is exposed to heat or light. However, the general expiration of mineral and chemical solar screens is the same – more than three years unless the case is tested and proven.

Do not leave the product in full sun or over high heat to maintain sunscreen in good condition. Keep your sunscreen in a bag, wrapped in a towel or stored in the shade if you are outside. Avoid leaving sunscreen in humid places such as your car, garage or bathroom. Also be sure to clean and close the container each time to avoid unwanted bacterial growth.

First, check the expiration date printed on the bottle. If the date is not listed and you bought it over three years ago, throw the product.

You can also know if the notch of sunscreen has expired according to its appearance, sensations and smells. If you notice that the color, the smell, the texture or the consistency of the sunscreen have changed, throw it away.

Most sunscreen products are white or white broken. If it is now yellow or has colored streaks, it can be expired or contaminated. In addition, if the product is more aqueous or grainy and rough, it may not be good to use. If you don’t know the age of sunscreen, it is best to throw it away.

The sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays, reducing your risk of sunburn and skin cancer. The sunscreen expires, which makes it less effective.

If your sunscreen has no specific expiration date listed on the container, you should consider that it has expired three years from the date you bought it. If you notice obvious changes in sensation, color, consistency or smell of your sunscreen, throw it away. Applying an expired sunscreen may not protect your skin from damage.

Speak with a health care provider if you have any questions about an expired sunscreen. They can help you decide if the product is sure to use.