We all love the sun’s energizing rays but it is really important to protect your skin from harmful burns, and since many of us are also using resurfacing acids, or retinol/retinoid products that thin the skin and sensitize it to the sun you do NEED sunscreen. And the truth is sunscreens typically have a short shelf life, so before you go reaching for last year’s tube lets answer some sunscreen questions and learn more below:

Does sunscreen expire?

Sunscreens have expiration dates because the active ingredients (either the mineral or chemical) have an expiration date where the efficacy of UV blocking cannot be guaranteed. If you cannot find an expiration date on your bottle it is usually safe to assume it will be good for 3 years (according to FDA regulations).

What if I don’t open it?

The product expiration date applies whether it is opened or unopened.

How to store your SPF:

Generally speaking, storing skincare in a cool, dry, dark place will help them last longer. High temperatures (like being stored in the bathroom near steamy showers/hot baths) can affect the integrity of your sunscreen’s active ingredients. If your sunscreen has been “sitting” without use for long the ingredients in some formulas may separate so make sure you shake well before use.

How can I tell if it is expired?

If you notice changes to your products texture, colour or smell, regardless of the expiration date it is a good idea to avoid applying it and update to a new sun protection. Skincare products are prone to growing mold and bacteria too. Sunscreen is the 1 product that tends to travel with us everywhere and is around all sorts of exposures. Touching your product with unclean hands, leaving caps open while laying out on the beach, clunking around in your purse and airplane travel. Your sunscreen lives a hard life that might affect its shelf life expectancy.

Shop MINDFUL BEAUTY’S curated sunscreen picks HERE