Does Sunscreen Expire?

Almost all products have an expiration date. Once reached, they may lose their properties, diminish in effectiveness, and sometimes even induce adverse health reactions. Sunscreens are vital for skin protection, making it imperative to ensure their optimal condition before use. To keep skin care products in good condition, it is very important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, in addition to taking into account their expiration date, or their recommended time of use, once the container is opened.

    1. Does Sunscreen Expire?

Yes, sunscreen can expire. Most sunscreens have an expiration date printed on the packaging, and it's important to adhere to it. The active ingredients in sunscreen can degrade over time, reducing their effectiveness in protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Using expired sunscreen may not provide the level of protection indicated on the product, and it could potentially leave your skin vulnerable to sun damage.

If you can't find the expiration date on the packaging or if the sunscreen has been stored improperly (e.g., exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight), it's generally recommended to replace it after three years from the date of purchase. Additionally, if the sunscreen's texture, color, or smell has changed, it's a sign that it may have gone bad, and you should replace it with a new one. Proper storage and regular checks can help ensure the effectiveness of your sunscreen.

What is the PAO Simple on Sunscreen Packaging?

The PAO, or Period After Opening, symbol is a small open jar icon usually found on the packaging of cosmetic and skincare products, including sunscreen. It indicates the recommended period for which the product remains safe to use after it has been opened. The PAO is often followed by a number and the letter "M," representing the number of months.

For example, if you see "12M" next to the PAO symbol, it means that the product should be used within 12 months after opening. After this period, the product may lose its efficacy, and there could be a risk of bacterial contamination.

Keep in mind that the PAO is a general guideline, and factors such as storage conditions and product composition can affect the actual shelf life. If the sunscreen doesn't have a specific expiration date but has a PAO symbol, it's a good idea to note the date you first opened the product and replace it accordingly. Always store sunscreen in a cool, dry place to help maintain its effectiveness.

    2. How to keep the sunscreen in optimal conditions?

When a cosmetic product has been opened for the first time, there comes a time when it begins to lose its properties due to contact with air, microorganisms in the environment, water, etc. Therefore, they have an expiration date.

To keep their lifespan to the fullest, avoid leaving them in the sun for hours, as heat greatly alters their properties. This includes not leaving them inside your vehicle, as heat is easily concentrated inside it. So, if you must take it with you to a place with a high temperature or a lot of sun, keep it in a place where there is shade, or protected from the sun.

    3. How do I know if my sunscreen has expired?

Generally, sunscreens have an indication that expresses the number of months that their properties last once the product is opened. However, not only this time is important to know that your sunscreen is in optimal condition for use. Well, three factors can indicate that the product is no longer suitable, even when it is within the validity period. These factors are:

• Texture: If you notice your sunscreen liquefying and solidifying, it should automatically go in the trash. The textures indicate the optimal conditions of a product, so if you notice that it has changed, or that a serum comes out, it is damaged.

• Color: If the product used to be one color and a while after opening it it has changed, discard it.

• Smell: You should also make sure that your protector maintains the same smell from the moment you open it. If you notice any different or strange odor, you should throw it away.
  
  

The Food and Drug Administration requires that all sunscreens retain their original strength for more than three years. Regulations that do not apply to products in other parts of the world. If you buy a sunscreen that does not have an expiration date, write the date of purchase on the bottle and be sure to dispose of it within a maximum period of 1 year.

However, we must indeed use sun protection throughout the year, and if this happens in the right way and the right amounts, the product will run out in less time. For this reason, it wouldn’t have time to expire. 

Conclusion

It is important to take into account factors such as the expiration date of our sunscreens, the duration of their properties once opened, and the appearance of the product (texture, color, and smell), to ensure that we will obtain adequate protection. DO NOT use an expired sunscreen, in any way, as it will have no effect on the skin and may even cause allergic reactions and other negative effects.

Frequently Asked Questions