How Long Does Sunscreen Last in the Bottle?

Locating an Expiration Date

Sunscreens should display their expiration dates somewhere on their bottle, usually on the bottom. If you're having trouble locating the expiration date, check for any series of printed numbers on the bottle. Some sunscreens will list their expiration dates after their lot numbers, meaning that the expiration date may look like this: Lot3978AExp2011/10. If your sunscreen contains a number like this, you can disregard the Lot number. You only need to look at the numbers following "Exp," which stands for Expiration date or Expires on. In this example, the sunscreen would expire in October 2011. Note, however, that there is no rule that requires sunscreen manufacturers to print an expiration date on their products.

Lifespan of Sunscreen

Though printing an expiration date is not required, the Federal Drug Administration requires that all sunscreens contain ingredients that will remain stable and active for at least three years. This means that a sunscreen's effectiveness should not wane over this three-year lifespan, although it is unlikely that one bottle of sunscreen would last an individual three years. One and a half ounces of sunscreen is the industry standard when it comes to protecting one's self from the dangers of the sun and its ultraviolet rays on a hot day at the beach. Any individual who will be in the sun for more than 10 minutes a day is supposed to wear sunscreen on any body part that may come into contact with the sun. Therefore, even though an unused bottle of sunscreen will remain effective for three years, a conscious consumer would have gone through significantly more than one bottle in three years.

Spotting Expired Sunscreen

There are a few characteristics that sunscreen takes on when it has become too old. It may get runny or the water may separate from the other ingredients when you pour it into your hand. It may also take on a sour smell, which is almost always a sign that a product has expired. Though not recommended, another way to tell if sunscreen is expired is to see if it actually prevents you from burning the way it used to. If you wear your sunscreen as you normally would for a normal period of time and find yourself burning, the active ingredients may very well have expired. If you apply sunscreen and it gives you a rash or burning sensation and you've never had a bad allergic reaction to sunscreen, then it's probably expired.

How Long Does Sunscreen Last in the Bottle? by traditionalhealth.org