** Sunscreen ** exp date & deals ?

[mafibisha]

So this is really a two part question.

1) Does the date stamped mean when it won't work anymore, or when it needs to be sold off the shelves? IOW, how long after the date stamped is the sunscreen effective?

2) Anyone know of any good deals on sunscreen?

TIA

 

[Leajess99]

Sunscreen loses its effectiveness each year even before the expiration date. IN our house, the sunscreen is disposed of each summer and new purchased. Being fair skinned I turn lobsterfied easily (happened last weekend because I forgot to put sunscreen on when the sky cleared and it warmed up quite a biit right at soccer game time).

I would really not recommend using expired sunscreen.

As for good deals, Walmart here does have some Coppertone for $6.47. I much prefer Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids but I have not seen any real deals on it yet.

 

[dgthree]

So this is really a two part question.

1) Does the date stamped mean when it won't work anymore, or when it needs to be sold off the shelves? IOW, how long after the date stamped is the sunscreen effective?

2) Anyone know of any good deals on sunscreen?

TIA

As another pale person, I agree with LeaJess above. I always toss my sunblock at the end of the season, whether it's expired or not.

As for good deals, I haven't seen any yet, but have had good luck with the store brand products, which are usually reasonably priced.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sunscreen-expire/AN01968

http://www.skincancer.org/skin-canc...ts/does-sunscreen-become-ineffective-with-age

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/226352.php

 

[NotUrsula]

It's a real expiration date; don't use past it unless you want to get burned.

We travel a lot, and we're very fair-skinned, so I buy sunblock year-round. After an incident about 2 years ago when I accidentally mixed up older for newer and got burned, I've started making it a point to prominantly date the bottles when I purchase them. I won't use them more than 9 months after purchase. (Also, be careful where you store your supply; don't leave it in a hot place for an extended period.)

The best deals I know of are at warehouse club stores; they tend to sell multi-packs at a markdown of around $2 per bottle. You can also sometimes get good deals from online stores, especially if you buy by the case and find a free shipping code.

Sprays don't go very far, so if you are trying to save, go with liquids if you'll actually use them. The recommendation for adults is one ounce per application, so the average 6 oz. can will last a family of 4 for about 4 hours of full sun, max. A 12 oz. bottle of liquid will get you a full 12 hour day, assuming that you reapply every 3 hours.

Personally, I like the spray because it is easy to apply, and that makes it worth the price for us. We will reapply properly and on schedule with sprays, but will sometimes procrastinate about getting sticky with the liquids, and that has lead to a few burns. For a week's trip to a Florida beach in summer, my famiy of 4 typically uses around 18 cans of spray. It's not cheap, but then, neither is melanoma.

For faces, we use wax sticks, and I really like the Ocean Potion dab-on for doing the parts in hair.

 

[v.t.]

Best deal I have found is at Sam's Club, they have multi packs.

 

[Donnainnj]

If you go to Costco, they usually have a really good price, and at some point we get a coupon that even makes it better.
Donna

 

[funnygarcia]

I think Target has a gift card with purchase offer on Coppertone. Grab a few different bottles and scan to check as it may be regional. Or Walmart branded is usually a good buy, usually same ingredients as name brand - check the labels.