Does Sunscreen Expire? How Long It Lasts and When to Toss It
Yes, sunscreen expires. The FDA three-year rule, how to check the date, how heat and storage affect it, and signs a bottle has gone bad.
Yes, sunscreen expires. The short answer: the FDA requires nonprescription drugs, including sunscreen, to carry an expiration date unless the manufacturer's testing shows they stay stable for at least three years. If your sunscreen has no expiration date, consider it expired three years after you bought it (FDA: sunscreen).
What the FDA recommends
The FDA advises (FDA: sunscreen):
- Don't use sunscreen past its expiration date.
- Don't use sunscreen with no expiration date that you bought more than three years ago.
- Throw out expired sunscreen, since it may no longer be safe and effective. If you don't know how old it is, throw it out.
The American Academy of Dermatology adds that the active ingredients break down and stop protecting you after expiration. It suggests writing the purchase date on any bottle that doesn't have an expiration date (AAD: when to toss makeup and sunscreen).
Where to find the date
| Package | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Tube | The crimped end, or printed on the back |
| Bottle | Bottom or side, sometimes embossed |
| Spray can | Bottom of the can |
| Stick | Bottom or cap area |
Signs your sunscreen has gone bad
Even before the date, toss sunscreen that has (Consumer Reports):
- Separated into watery and thick layers that won't mix back together
- Changed color
- Developed an unusual smell
- Become gritty or lumpy
Heat and storage
Heat and direct sun can make sunscreen deteriorate faster. Mayo Clinic advises keeping it out of hot weather and direct sunlight, for example in the shade, wrapped in a towel or in a cooler, and throwing it out if its color or texture changes a lot (Mayo Clinic).
You probably won't need to worry about expiration
If you use enough sunscreen, a bottle won't last long. The AAD recommends about one ounce, roughly a shot glass full, to cover exposed skin on the body, and reapplying about every two hours outdoors and after swimming or sweating (AAD: sunscreen FAQs). A sunscreen that lasts years may be a sign you're using too little.
Why it matters for aging
Daily sunscreen is one of the few anti-aging habits backed by a long randomized trial: adults who used sunscreen daily for 4.5 years showed 24% less skin aging than those using it at their own discretion (Hughes et al., Ann Intern Med, 2013). Expired sunscreen undermines that protection.
Frequently asked questions
Is it dangerous to use expired sunscreen? The main risk is less protection and sunburn. Changes in texture can also irritate skin.
Does mineral sunscreen expire? Yes. The same FDA rules apply to all sunscreens.
Does opening the bottle shorten its life? Follow the printed expiration date and the signs above; store it closed and away from heat.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist about your situation.
Sources
- Hughes MC et al. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013. PubMed
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreen: how to help protect your skin from the sun
- American Academy of Dermatology. When to toss your makeup and sunscreen; Sunscreen FAQs
- Mayo Clinic. Does sunscreen expire?
- Consumer Reports. Does sunscreen expire?
