Does Sunscreen Go Bad?
Now that spring is here, take inventory of your sunscreen to make sure you have enough for those sunnier days ahead.
If your sunscreen has been around for a while, you may not even think about checking the expiration date.
Here’s how to know whether to use last year’s batch or if your sunscreen has gone bad.
Slather on the Sunscreen
Whether it’s cloudy or sunny, you probably already know how important it is to use sunscreen every day. Sunscreen is the single most important health and beauty product in your home.
It protects you from the sun’s damaging UV rays, which easily pass through clouds to cause damage to the surface and deep layers of your skin. The UV rays cause free radical damage, premature aging, crepey skin and without it, seriously increases your risk of skin cancer.
Sunscreen Application
To avoid a bad burn and to protect skin as much as possible, use an SPF (skin protection factor) of 30 or higher. Choose a water-resistant broad-spectrum variety, free of toxic parabens.
The SPF number means that if used correctly, it will take 30 times longer for your skin to turn red, which signals a burn and potential skin damage, than it would without protection.
For the greatest protection, re-apply every two hours, more often if sweating or swimming.
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes ahead of heading out so it has time to penetrate into your skin.
For proper coverage, use the equivalent of about two tablespoons of sunscreen to cover all your exposed skin. Don’t forget your ears and tops of feet.
If you can, wear a hat for protection of your scalp.
Don’t forget lip protection by wearing a sunscreen-infused lip balm.
For your face, use a SPF 30 or higher sunscreen either under or over your foundation. This is true even if using a foundation containing sunscreen since foundation alone cannot provide adequate UV protection.
Start with about a nickel size amount of sunscreen and rub well into skin. If using a chemical sunscreen, apply your moisturizer and foundation over the sunscreen layer. If using a physical (mineral) sunscreen, it goes on last, after moisturizer and foundation.
Sunscreen Shelf Life
Surprisingly, according to FDA regulations, sunscreens have a considerably long shelf life of up to three years.
Normally, you wouldn’t use products that have been sitting in your home for three years. If it makes you feel better, toss the old bottle and get a fresh supply this spring.
To make things easier, write both the purchase and expiration dates on the bottle with a sharpie. It’s entirely up to you whether to toss after a year or keep until the expiration date.
Wrap Up
Since sunscreen is the most important skin-saving beauty product, it’s good to know it’s just as effective in three years as it was the day you opened the bottle.
For professional care of skin, look no further than Laura Skincare in Petaluma for facials, peels and the highest quality in skincare products and services.
