We can always rely on our favourite beach bag to come equipped with last year’s bottle of SPF, sitting right where we left it some 10 months ago as we finished up our very last beach day for the summer.
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And while we’re thrilled to see our trusty, pre-loved bottle of sunscreen, it’s important to give the expiration date a quick once over before slathering yourself head-to-toe in a formula that might provide little to no protection.
Why can using expired sunscreen be harmful?
For those of us who live life on the edge and think expiration dates are more of a gentle recommendation rather than a hard and fast rule, please don’t exercise this way of living when it comes to your sunscreen.
The risk you run when applying an out of date SPF is that you may leave your skin unprotected and exposed to harmful, cancer-causing UV rays.
SPF expiration dates mean they can no longer achieve the SPF rating advertised. This goes for both chemical and mineral sunscreens, which will either oxidise or degrade over time.
But, don’t always take the expiration date as gospel either
While most SPFs last up to three years (but, if you’re applying it as regularly as we hope, no bottle should be hanging around this long), there are varying factors that might tamper with this time frame.
If you’re keeping your tube stored in an area impacted by direct sun, (eg. a hot car or laid out on your towel day after day, hour after hour), the formula will spoil faster.
A few giveaways that your formula has become contaminated or spoilt are changes in the smell, texture or a pilling effect when applied.
We recommend replacing your bottle every few months just to be on the safe side.
Here are some of our absolute favourite SPFs for long-lasting protection:
Ella Baché Active Face Great SPF50+ ($55 at Ella Bache)
Hamilton Active Family Lotion Sunscreen ($14.99 at Chemist Warehouse)
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ ($28.99 at Chemist Warehouse)
NEUTROGENA® Beach Defence Sunscreen Lotion SPF50 ($11.69 at Chemist Warehouse)
What’s your go-to sunscreen?
Using LRP invisible atm. Wish all companies were labeling their sunscreens with production date. Why aren’t they doing that? It is easy!
I always check the expiration date of my sunscreen and also put it in in my bathroom cupboard where it’s dark and cool
It is good to be reminded – especially me because I do use last year’s sunscreen! woops. I love Banana Boat in the blue bottle because it lets the sand fall off my skin while at the beach – not a sticky sunscreen at all. It’s a reliable one that’s easy to find even in the supermarket.
Me too
I use Ego Sunsense Sensitive Invisible 50+ for body. Natio Daily Defence 50+ for Face. I always check expiry dates and chuck out when it reaches it.
Bought a product with spf reduced to clear, then got home and read the expiry date..DOH!
I use my sunscreen daily so I go through a few each year and never worry about the expiry date to be honest.
I must admit I never look at the use by date on sunscreens. I just keep using them till they’re finished. This is a good reminder to check.
I admit I am really inconsistent with sunscreen and my beauty cupboard is a bit of a sunscreen graveyard with several bottles in various stages of use. I’ve never finished a bottle of sunscreen. I really need to do better.
Good to know
I mainly use it in summer and check the expiry date before a new season. Love the nivea kids roll on which is fragrance free, wish it came in a bottle as well.
We go through a bottle a year because I burn so easily so I don’t usually keep an eye on dates.
Really like using La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ Sunscreen for my Face. Also use Cancer Council Face and Body Moisturiser 50+ Sunscreen on my body.
It is recommended to use Sunscreen even in Winter time at least on your Face and Hands.
This is a reminder that I’ve got a few tubes of SPF to toss.
I am fanatical about use by dates!
Old sunscreen tends to make my face itchy (even well within use-by date). That’s how I know to replace it.
Hehe I love it how the article says, ‘if you like living on the edge’.
The only time I don’t finish sunscreen in time is when the texture is really yucky. Just don’t like the sticky feel…sometimes I keep them for the body but haven’t really been to the beach/swimming much since Covid.
I try to replace my sunscreen every year, but sometimes I just don’t finish it and it seems wasteful
I really like the La Roche-Posay, but there’s heaps of more affordable options available that do just as good a job. I usually keep my eyes peeled for LRP on super special. I toss sunscreen, and any other lotions and potions, when they start to look smell and feel off.
I’ve used La Roche-Posay sunscreens before and they would have the be my favourite. Natio is also another brand I love.
Don’t replace it every few months – use it, everyday, even in winter, when you go outdoors
Agreed! I use 50+ everyday but it’s good to know what to look out for apart from the used by date
Thanks for the reminder, I really need to check all my bottles and tube.
I am using a LRP one at the moment. Its great but a little pricey.
That’s me too, I have a lot of half empty and almost finished bottles lying around but that’s because I’m usually the one that has to finish it. If it takes too long for the sunscreen to come out of the bottle then the kids and hubby can’t be bothered and they immediately start a new one.
I definitely know by the smell that it’s ready to toss.
Hmm, I need to pay a visit to the bathroom and clean out those cupboards
I buy ‘reduced to clear’ Sunscreen all the time and never even consider the expiry date… lol oh well.
Have used the Ultraceuticals tinted moisturiser spf or the hydrating spf since I was 19 and just recently discovered the Nivea all over body 50+ trigger spray from a recent trial and loved it.
This reminds me that I should better check the expiry dates of my sunscreens and throw out old ones.
I love using La Roche posey sunscreens for my face so 1 will be stocking up on those for summer.
I ignore most expiry dates because my tough skin doesn’t react badly to products. Sunscreen is the exception! I always check it, but I use it regularly, so I seldom have to discard any.
Hamiltons & LRP are great, but my favourite is Invisible Zinc.
If I like a sunscreen, I always use it up within the use-by date
Good to know.
I buy sunscreen every year and always check the expiry before purchase. Just as well according to the article, my daughter would make sure I did as she’s so particular when it comes to sunscreen
Interesting read
I normally go by the expiration date but should also take note of the scent and texture before throwing it out.
I feel like this article should be posted at the start of every summer to remind us not to use old sunscreen