All sunscreens have a specific shelf life, ranging from a few months to a few years. Many may be asking themselves: Does sunscreen go bad in heat, under humid conditions or when in touch with dirt or bacteria? Indeed, these factors can accelerate expiry. It is therefore advisable to store sunscreens in a safe place for optimum preservation.
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How to Store a Tube or Bottle of Sunscreen?
Summary
- Sunscreen Storage Ideas and Conditions
- How Long Does a Bottle of Sunscreen Last?
- When Should a Sunscreen Be Replaced?
- Why Avoid Using Expired Sunscreen?
Published June 23, 2021,
updated on August 2, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
4 min read
Sunscreen Storage Ideas and Conditions.
To preserve the effectiveness of a sunscreen for as long as possible, it should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, ideally away from sources of heat and direct sunlight. This will ensure that it remains effective at least until the expiration date indicated on the packaging. In fact, heat, sunlight and humidity are factors that alter the product. We also recommend that you close it tightly after each use. If you use sunscreen outdoors, make sure the container is kept clean, and put it in a bag to prevent direct sunlight from affecting the product's effectiveness. Sand and seawater can also damage the product.
How Long Does a Bottle of Sunscreen Last?
Like all beauty products, sunscreens also have a “best-before” date, after which their properties are no longer guaranteed. This is usually indicated by a small pot-shaped logo on the back of the tube/bottle, with the words 6M, 12M or 18M. These numbers indicate the maximum number of months the product can be used after opening, e.g., 6M for 6 months shelf life. To avoid confusion, we recommend that you make a note of the date the product was first opened. This will give you an idea of the product's shelf life. As a general rule, as long as it hasn't been opened, sun protection will keep for around 3 years, of course if it has been stored correctly. However, it is advisable to change the product every summer, and not to use it for more than a year once it has been opened.
When Should a Sunscreen Be Replaced?
In some cases, a tube or bottle of sunscreen may no longer be useful, even if the expiration date has not yet passed. In fact, several factors, such as exposure to heat and humidity, can cause the cream to deteriorate rapidly. To find out whether a sunscreen needs replacing, there are a number of things to check. Firstly, you need to take a look at its texture. If the texture is no longer homogeneous or supple, and if the sunscreen shows lumps or a curdled appearance, avoid using it. Secondly, make sure that the color and smell of the sunscreen have not changed, which may indicate bacterial contamination. Finally, to determine whether a sunscreen has expired, simply check whether any liquid comes out of the product when you squeeze the tube without having to shake it first (dephasing). However, as a precaution, we advise you to throw your cream away when you return from your vacation in the sun. During this period, your cream will probably have been exposed more than once to the heat, direct sunlight, dirt (sand, bacteria, etc.) or humidity. All these extreme situations can affect the stability of the formulation, thus altering its efficacy.
Why Avoid Using Expired Sunscreen?
Using expired sunscreen is bad for your health. The chemical ingredients it contains can deteriorate, causing allergies, irritation, or burns. If this happens, rinse the affected areas with clean water. An expired cream no longer provides protection for the skin. Its purpose is to protect your skin from the sun, preventing sunburn, but also premature signs of aging. So, once it has expired, it can no longer protect the skin from sunburn and harmful UV rays.
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