Sunscreen expiration date?

[londonpenguin]

How long does sunscreen remain effective when it's still in the container? For example, would you use the sunscreen you bought last summer this summer, or would you chuck it out and buy a new bottle? I've got a few containers of sunscreen in my cupboard, and only one of them has what appears to be an expiration date printed on the end of the tube, but it's in such teensy-weensy-beensy-schmeensy print, that I can't make it out at all. And do you think it makes any difference what form the sunscreen is in (i.e., stick, lotion, spray)?

 

[KMH1]

I buy new sunblock every summer, just to be safe.

Amy

 

[tazleiten12]

Be careful with old sunscreen. Especially on little ones. Last year when i was at Disney, all 5 of us used the year before's sunscreen. It didn't seem to protect as well, and my DD who was 4, broke out in a terrible rash. At first i didn't know what was wrong. I bought some new stuff at the gift shop, and no more rash! I would throw it out, and get some new stuff.

 

[The Edgington's]

I agree, throw it out. I had some left from our November/December trip and I put it on several kids early this summer, they all got a little sunburned. It seemed to be a little bit runny, but I thought it was okay since I had purchased it right before our trip. Now I know better and at the end of this summer I will throw any unused away! I also think that the manufacturers need to put exp. dates or made on dates on the packaging, I could find nothing on my bottle.

 

[chop456]

I did not know sunscreen expired ... until last year! My DD and DS both had on "old" sunsceeen and oooohhhh did they get burned. I throw mine out and buy new each year.

 

[buzz2400]

I had some banana boat left over from last year so I called their toll free number. she said it lasts for about nine years.

 

[mel63]

Most sunscreen has a 2 year shelf life, then it may start to deteriorate. But if it was kept in the hot car, or out in the sun it will deteriorate quicker. I can usually get 2 summers out of it, but I make sure it is never stored in a hot area.

 

[londonpenguin]

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll have to throw away the Bullfrog. Seems a shame as we used hardly any of it, and it's a pretty big bottle! Oh, well. C'est la vie!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I know!! How wonderful I came across this post, i was thinking the same thing, we are going on vacation tommarrow for a week to do some hiking in the mountains and I had no idea sunscreen expired. I went and checked ours..and it expired over the winter, so i will go get a new bottle to be safe. Good thing i saw this post. Thanks for posting!

 

[weluvdizknee]

@:
http://cancercare.org.cy/EN/public_information/prevention/sun.html

Quote taken from website:
Check the sunscreen’s expiration date, it can last no more than three years. Exposure to extreme temperatures can shorten the expiration date or shelf life of sunscreen.

 

[pbharris4]

Be careful with old sunscreen. Especially on little ones. Last year when i was at Disney, all 5 of us used the year before's sunscreen. It didn't seem to protect as well, and my DD who was 4, broke out in a terrible rash. At first i didn't know what was wrong. I bought some new stuff at the gift shop, and no more rash! I would throw it out, and get some new stuff.

The EXACT same thing happened to my 2 yo DD last week! I bought new stuff, but left it at home. I had the pump one from last year. SHe didn't get sunburn, but she broke out in little tiny bumps so I just tossed it and put the new one in her bag.