Does Sunscreen Expire? Here's What You Need To Know

Summer is coming, time for days swimming at the beach, working in the garden, or barbecuing in the backyard. Spending more time outdoors means you'll want to slather the SPF all over your body and make sure it's working. But if you've been relying on the same bottle for years or stocked up to save money on a Costco run, you may be using sunscreen that is expired. 

With that in mind, how can you tell if your sunscreen is expired and how dangerous if you’re still using it? Here’s what you need to know. 

Does Sunscreen Expire?

Sunscreen does expire, and sooner than you may expect. Most sunscreens expire around three years after they’ve been manufactured, not after opening, which means you could have unopened bottles that have gone bad. 

Since sunscreens are considered non-prescription drugs (like Aspirin), the FDA requires that they have an expiration date. 

Koestline said, “Since sunscreens are over-the-counter drugs, there are specific testing guidelines that they have to follow and adhere to. Sunscreens are required to have expiration dates on their packaging. Each sunscreen is tested to a specified expiration date. Beyond this, there is no guarantee that it will offer the same kind of protection.”

Where Can You Find the Expiration Date on Sunscreen?

Look for the expiration date on the back or bottom of a sunscreen container. While the format may differ from brand to brand, it is usually in a numerical date and easy to read. If you can’t find the expiration date or can’t remember when you purchased the sunscreen, it’s best to toss the product.

What Happens if You Use Expired Sunscreen?

Even if you buy the best sunscreen, it won’t be as effective after its expiration date, leaving you susceptible to sunburn or other long-term damage. Koestline shared, “It's not so much that the active ingredients are not effective as UV filters past the expiration date (ie. mineral filters, given that they are minerals, do not degrade under UV exposure), but the formula may no longer create a uniform film over your skin to protect it from UV rays effectively.” 

How To Tell If You Sunscreen Is Expired

If your sunscreen stops looking like sunscreen, chances are, it’s expired. According to Koestline, if the color or texture of the product changes, the formula has likely degraded (meaning it’s not working properly), and you’ll want to throw it out. Some possible signs to look out for are:

• watery texture
• clumpy texture
• brown color

How To Preserve Your Sunscreen

While you might keep your sunscreen in your car for beach days or in your bathroom alongside the rest of your skincare products, that may not be the best place. Store SPF in a cool, dark place (or at least out of direct light). If you're taking SPF with you to the beach or pool, store it in your bag and in the shade, or even in a cooler.

What’s the Difference Between Sunblock and Sunscreen?

While you may have been using the two interchangeably, they aren’t the same thing. Sunblock acts as a physical barrier, blocking UV rays, while sunscreen reflects the light. While they may contain different ingredients and have different textures, both protect against harmful rays, which is a good enough reason to slap some on before you head out.