does-sunscreen-expire

Key Takeaways

  • Sunscreen absolutely expires, and both mineral and chemical formulas break down over time, especially if they’ve been sitting in heat or moisture. 
  • Expired sunscreen is usually easy to spot because it can change color, separate in texture, or develop an off smell, which means it’s ready to be retired. 
  • Using expired sunscreen isn’t a great idea because its protection drops and old bottles can collect bacteria if they weren’t sealed well. 
  • The best way to keep sunscreen fresh is to store it in a cool, dry place, keep caps clean and closed, and recycle the bottle once it reaches the end of its life. 

Table of Contents

It’s an age-old question every time summer comes around as you’re pulling your beach gear out of storage: “Does sunscreen expire?” The answer, in short, is yes. In this guide, you’ll learn all you need to know about that half-empty bottle of SPF 50 buried in the bottom your tote bag and whether to toss it or lather up.
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