Sunscreen is one of the most important skincare products as it protects skin from harmful UV rays. However, if you’ve ever found an old bottle in the back of your medicine cabinet or bottom of your beach bag, you might wonder: Does expired sunscreen still work? The short answer is no, and this knowledge can save you from potential sun damage. In this blog, we’ll explore whether sunscreen expires, what happens if you use expired sunscreen, and how to store your sunscreen properly to maximize shelf life.

How Long is Sunscreen Good After Its Expiration Date?

When unopened, sunscreen has a shelf life of two to three years. Once opened, it should be used within 12 months for optimal protection. After this period, the active ingredients begin to degrade, which reduces sunscreen's efficacy. Factors like exposure to heat, sunlight, and humidity also shorten the lifespan, accelerating the breakdown of the active ingredients. Storing sunscreen in a cool, dry place and avoiding leaving it in hot environments (like cars) can help maintain its potency for as long as possible, ensuring you get the best sun protection.

What Happens If You Use Expired Sunscreen?

There are several reasons why it’s not recommended to use expired sunscreen, including:

• • Reduced effectiveness – the most significant risk of using expired sunscreen is that it won’t protect your skin as well. Sunscreen works by using active ingredients like zinc oxide, avobenzone, or oxybenzone to block or absorb harmful UV rays. As sunscreen ages, these active ingredients break down, causing the product to lose its ability to shield skin from sunburn and long-term skin damage from UVA and UVB rays.
• • Increased free radical damage – for chemical sunscreens, breakdown of active ingredients doesn’t just mean less protection from UV rays; these sunscreens can also release free radicals, unstable molecules that damage skin cells and accelerate the aging process. This can result in wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and an increased risk of skin conditions like hyperpigmentation.
• • Allergic reactions and skin sensitivity – expired sunscreen ingredients may also decompose into compounds that trigger allergic reactions. These reactions include redness, itching, rash, and other forms of skin irritation. Photoallergic reactions (an allergic response to sun exposure) can also occur when using expired chemical sunscreens.
• • Uneven application of physical sunscreens – mineral (physical) sunscreens that contain ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide tend to separate over time, leading to uneven application. When this happens, the sunscreen becomes thick, grainy, or hard to spread, which means certain areas of your skin may not be properly protected.

How to Tell if Your Sunscreen Is Expired

If you can’t find an expiration date on your sunscreen (or if it’s rubbed off), it’s probably safest to assume it’s out of date. If you want to be sure, there are several ways to tell when sunscreen is past its prime:

• • The smell test – one of the easiest ways to tell if your sunscreen is no longer good is by its smell. If it smells different than usual, especially if the odor is sour or rancid, it’s a sign the product has gone bad. If there is any drastic change in fragrance, it’s time to toss it.
• • Look for color changes – sunscreens that are white or off-white in color may turn yellowish or brown when they expire. This discoloration is a common indicator that sunscreen is breaking down, and it may no longer be effective. In some cases, sunscreen may also become more transparent than it originally was.
• • Test the consistency – if the formula has become watery, thick, or grainy, it’s best to discard it. The active ingredients may have separated from the other components, which makes it difficult for the sunscreen to spread evenly and provide adequate protection.

Is it OK to Use Expired Sunscreen?

While you might be tempted to use expired sunscreen in a pinch, it’s not typically recommended. Expired sunscreen risks outweigh the potential benefits. Expired sunscreen likely provides little to no protection, and it exposes skin to harmful UV rays and increasing your risk of sunburn, allergic reaction, and other forms of skin damage. It's much safer and more cost-effective to invest in a fresh bottle of sunscreen, especially since proper sun protection is crucial for preventing skin cancer, premature aging, and other skin conditions. If you’re trying to choose a sunscreen, consider some of our top recommendations:

• • ALASTIN Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum – this lightweight, mineral sunscreen provides gentle, broad-spectrum sun protection that is safe for all skin types and for use on all parts of the body. 
• • EltaMD UV AOX Elements Broad Spectrum SPF 50 – this facial sunblock is safe and effective to protect against sunburns as well as long-term forms of sun damage like accelerated skin aging. It also protects against blue light, and the tinted formula improves the appearance of skin, blurring imperfections. 
• • Pavise Dynamic Age Defense SPF – this unique formula is made to reverse and prevent the signs of photoaging on skin. While it’s formulated for aging skin, it’s safe and effective for all skin types. 

How to Make Your Sunscreen Last Longer

Now that we’ve established why expired sunscreen is ineffective and not recommended for use, here are some tips to increase your sunscreen shelf life:

• • Store in a cool place – even though it’s made to fight sun damage, heat is one of the biggest enemies of sunscreen. Store your sunscreen in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Your bathroom, for example, may seem like a convenient place to keep your sunscreen, but the high humidity and heat can accelerate the breakdown of its ingredients. Similarly, avoid storing sunscreen in your car, where the temperature can rise significantly during hot days.
• • Keep the lid tightly closed – air exposure also degrades sunscreen. Always ensure the cap is tightly closed to minimize the amount of air that comes into contact with the sunscreen. This will help preserve its stability for as long as possible.
• • Replace sunscreen regularly – as a general rule, replace your sunscreen every year — or sooner if you use it frequently or store it in less-than-ideal conditions (e.g., in a hot car). This ensures you're always using fresh sunscreen that provides the level of protection your skin needs.

Effective Sun Protection Is Only Possible with Fresh Sunscreen

To ensure you’re properly protected from harmful UV rays, always check the expiration date before using sunscreen. Ultimately, using fresh sunscreen is key to keeping your skin safe and healthy. If you’re not sure what sunscreen is best for your skin type or skincare needs, consult with a dermatologist for personalized recommendations.

Explore Sun Protection & Skincare Products

We hope this helps you understand the importance of sunscreen expiration and how to ensure your skincare products are keeping your skin safe from sun damage. If you’re looking for a fresh bottle of sunscreen or any other high-quality skincare products to boost your daily routine, we hope you’ll take some time to explore DermSkincare to learn more about our dermatologist-recommended products. Come back periodically to explore our blog where you can find more skincare tips and product recommendations.