Sunscreen is one of the products seen in everyone’s skincare products. Many of us have sunscreens that we may have bought years ago and use now and then. Have you ever thought that sunscreen could go wrong? In this article, we talk about this topic. Stay with us.
How long does sunscreen last?
According to dermatologist Dr. Alok Vej, if you use sunscreen properly, it will wear off after a few months. Sunscreen should be reapplied several times a day, especially in hot seasons. If you have a sunscreen that you bought a long time ago and it still hasn’t expired, it means that you are not applying enough sunscreen, and this means that you are exposing your skin to harmful rays.
SPF sunscreen protects the skin from various complications. Some of these complications include:
- premature skin aging;
- skin damage;
- skin cancer ;
- sunburn ;
- Stains caused by the sun’s rays.
How to store sunscreen has a significant effect on its durability. For example, if you keep sunscreen in a hot and humid environment in summer, its active ingredients will break down much earlier than usual. Always keep the sunscreen in a dry and cool place.
While some manufacturers include an expiration date on the label or the product itself, others do not. Write the date of opening the sunscreen seal on it so that it is clear when to replace it. Remember that if the sunscreen is stored correctly, it will remain entirely healthy for up to 3 years.
How to understand that the date of use of sunscreen cream has expired?
To determine the sunscreen’s expiration date, check the product label and the expiration date. If it doesn’t have an expiration date, look at the texture of your sunscreen. If its color has changed, it smells strange or different from before; its surface has become watery or pebble-like, which means it has passed its use-by date. Any color, smell, or consistency change usually means the sunscreen has expired.
Does mineral sunscreen last longer?
Whether you use mineral or chemical-based sunscreen, all ingredients degrade over time. If the preservatives in sunscreen break down, they cause bacteria to grow inside the cream bottle and cause rashes and acne. If the mineral sunscreen breaks down, it will develop a pebble-like texture that you will notice quickly. Expired sunscreens do not spread on the skin.
Can you use expired sunscreen?
Expired sunscreen no longer protects your skin and makes it more susceptible to sunburn, sun damage, and skin cancer.
“If you’re using an expired sunscreen, you’re just putting a regular moisturizer on your skin, and you’re not getting any UV protection,” says Dr. Weige. “If the sunscreen is old or expired, it makes a person more prone to sunburn.”
Tips for maintaining sunscreen
- Store it in a dry and cool place. Placing the sunscreen in a suitable place prevents its active ingredients from breaking down. If the cream is stored in a warm or humid area, its elements will gradually deteriorate and lose their protective effects.
- Keep sunscreen clean. Always be careful to close the door after applying sunscreen and don’t open and close it too much. Also, be sure to wash your hands before use. Bacteria on your hands can transfer to the bottle and reduce the effectiveness of the sunscreen.
- Do not expose the sunscreen cream to direct sunlight. Never leave the sunscreen in direct sunlight. Even when swimming in the pool, you should be aware that after applying sunscreen, leave it in the shade or cover it with a towel.
I have frequently asked questions about sunscreen.
– Is it possible for sunscreen to lose its protective effect?
If its use date has passed, it will lose its protective effect and will no longer be as effective as before.
Does expire sunscreen cause acne?
It’s possible because the chemicals and ingredients in sunscreen slowly start to break down, and applying it to your body may cause skin irritation. For this reason, it is better to throw away expired sunscreen.
Why is it important to pay attention to the expiration date of sunscreen?
After the expiry date of sunscreen creams, their chemicals are broken down, and their effectiveness decreases. If you doubt your cream has expired, throw it away and buy a new sunscreen.
final word
Sunscreen is one of those things that we often forget to use. When we think of sunscreen, we reach for it and believe that even though it’s been a long time since it was made, it’s still usable. Now that you have realized that sunscreen can also be damaged and its date will pass, pay more attention.
Sunscreen is an essential part of the skin routine. According to Dr. Vej, sunscreen not only helps protect against skin cancer but also prevents the signs of skin aging, and this is a win-win deal.
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Warning! This article is only for educational purposes; to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
