Another weird question...How long does sunscreen last???

[Zoemakes5]

We live in Minnesota and are heading down to Orlando in March/April of next year. Sunscreen and aloe vera are a bit harder to get around here in the late winter early spring, plus they will be clearancing out some of the sun products at the end of the season.
So, if I got it toward the end of this month, and didn't open it or use it, would it still be good in March/April?
Thanks

 

[sammielynn]

It should still be good, it has a shelf life of over a year in most cases. See if the package has an expiration date.

 

[dzorn]

Look for an expiration date. If it does not have a date lot numbers call manufacturer and they can give it to you. Don't want to use expired, Trust me I know from eexperience.

Denise

 

[ducklite]

It has a shelf life of at least a couple years.

Most products (including medications) are good for a good six months past the expiration date. (Obviously eggs, milk, mayo, and some liquid meds should be discarded at expiration.)

Anne

 

[fivefordisney]

The following is taken from ivillage's Cosmo Q and A:

"Check to see if your bottle of sunscreen is stamped with an expiration date. If you don't see a date, the rule of thumb is that the active ingredients in sunscreen (like zinc, titanium dioxide and Parsol 1789) should remain stable and effective for about three years, according to David Leffell, M.D., professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. But if it smells funny, feels lumpy or has a bizarro color, dump it. To keep your sunscreen as close to new as possible, store it in a dry spot at room temperature with the lid tightly fastened. Some of our favorites: Coppertone Ultrasheer Sunscreen Lotion, $10; Clinique Body Spray SPF 30, $16.50; Lancôme Soleil Expert SunCare SPF15, $26; and Banana Boat Surf Sunblock SPF 30, $7"

I would definitely buy now...while they are on sale. We go to Key West in February and I HATE paying full price because I forgot to stock up!

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Zoemakes5]

I would definitely buy now...while they are on sale. We go to Key West in February and I HATE paying full price because I forgot to stock up!

Good luck and have fun!

Yep, and, you're lucky if in a tourist area you can get just "full price", more like "a whole bunch more"!!

Thanks everyone for all your replies. I feel like such a stooge because after every year I throw away the sunscreen thinking it's no longer good!