Last Summer’s Sunscreen: Check Its Age and Storage Before Using It
SkinArticleAn old bottle needs an expiration or purchase-date check, along with protection from heat and direct sun.
In this article
Start with the date
FDA1 advises not using sunscreen after its expiration date. If there is no printed expiration date, consider it expired three years after purchase. Discard sunscreen if you do not know how old it is.1
Protect the container, too
FDA1 recommends protecting sunscreen containers from excessive heat and direct sun. During extended time outdoors in heat, it suggests keeping containers in shade or wrapping them in towels. Read your product’s storage instructions.1
Keep uncertainty separate from appearance
These age and storage checks do not establish a particular bottle’s effectiveness from how it looks. If you are unsure about the product’s storage, ask the manufacturer or pharmacist about that product rather than assuming its printed SPF settles the question.1
Skin, Head to Toe includes a label decoder and visit script. Use them to organize product questions alongside professional advice. Explore the skin playbook.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't ignore professional advice or delay getting care because of something you read here. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun (opens in a new tab)abcde
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll check it.
