Does sunscreen really expire?

[Disneyland1084]

Last summer my two DD's and I bought season passes to the local waterpark, and will be doing the same for this summer. A year ago I stocked up on sunscreen in bulk. I looked at some of the bottles that are still full and it has printed on them "Best by Feb. 2015." Do you think they're still good? Would you buy new bottles?

 

[bcla]

Theoretically the active ingredients break down, but more likely the base lotion or liquid starts breaking down. All sorts of things can happen. Lotions can dry out. Sometimes stuff starts growing in there (why there are preservatives).

I'll used sunscreen past the supposedly expiration date. A lot don't list an expiration date since it's not required.

 

[4under4]

Ditto PP. Just keep an eye on your skin it to make sure the active ingredient is still good. I have some spray type that is a couple years past the expiration and works just fine. I've also had some lotion types that started to smell a bit "off" about a year after the expiration so I tossed it.

 

[low-key]

If I was President I would outlaw sunscreen, we all got to man up and deal with the sun

 

[JAMIESMITH]

If the active ingredients expire, the lotion can actually make you burn! I put some on my daughter and myself one time that was three years out of date and we both burnt terribly!

 

[Tiffylv]

.

 

[deedeetoo]

Speaking as a very pale redhead, I have never had a problem with expired sunscreen. I always keep it from year to year. I do use the old bottles first so they dont get too old.

 

[DebbieB]

I have some Clinique face sunscreen. When it gets old, the ingredients separate, you can tell. If it expired ("best by") in February and still looks intact, I would use it this summer. If you burn, then throw it out.

 

[tvguy]

I was in Phoenix 2 weeks ago for Spring Training, 4 day games in the blazing sun. My SPF 50 NO AD Brand sunscreen had an expiration date of 2010 barely let me get a tan, no burn.

 

[tvguy]

If I was President I would outlaw sunscreen, we all got to man up and deal with the sun

Instead of "A chicken in every pot" your campaign slogan can be "skin cancer for all"

 

[joannamet]

If I was President I would outlaw sunscreen, we all got to man up and deal with the sun

You are clearly not a redhead even if you're kidding around! At the beach I slather on the sunscreen and I still stay under the umbrella when I'm not in the water.

My friend got a horrible case of sun poisoning while using expired sunscreen.

 

[toystory1130]

Ya'll know deodorant expires too...

 

[tvguy]

Ya'll know deodorant expires too...

You made me look, I didn't believe you.
Right on the bottom "Expires March 2036"

Given that a deodorant stick lasts me about a month........I expect I will have to buy 252 replacements before then.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Toothpaste has an expiration as well...

I would not use the sunscreen after that date. I have a friend that accidentally put her new sunscreen in her carry on... well she lost that at the airport. When she went to her aunts home prior to her 7 day cruise, they gave her some. Well, it was expired and she burned very badly. Made for some interesting wedding pictures.

 

[onepaire]

It's been my experience that sunscreen definitely expires! More times than I should have, I've found this out the hard way.

 

[LilyWDW]

Yes. It can expire and it is NOT a good idea at all to use it once it has.

 

[firecracker725]

Nah, they just put that date on the bottom for giggles.

Seriously...yes, it expires, and sure you can use it, but why take the risk for a few bucks?

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I am glad this question came up. I have some that is expired, I was wondering whether or not I should use it. Good idea just to pitch it and get some new I guess.

 

[Kayabee]

The only sunscreen I have in the cabinet is expired. I've used it for a couple years without issue but I'll probably restock this year. I think a few months past the date is fine.

 

[ksjayhawks]

According to several sites, sunscreen has a shelf life of 3 years. You can use sunscreen past its expire/best by date but it will start to break down. You are probably good for 2 or 3 months, but after that I would throw it away.