Does Sun Cream Expire? Learn How Long Sunscreen Lasts

Discover how long sunscreen lasts once opened, and ensure your skin stays protected by understanding the expiration of your sun cream.

What's in this article:

Read Time: 10 minutes

Understanding sunscreen and expiration
How long does unopened sunscreen last?
3 sunscreen conservation and storage tips
Sunscreen effectiveness
Can You Used Expired Sunscreen?
Facts Overview
Summary
FAQ

Sunscreen serves as a primary shield against the sun's harmful rays, protecting our skin from premature ageing and potential health risks. However, its expiration date and post-opening duration are often overlooked. Like any skincare product, sunscreen does expire. Moreover, since it’s sensitive to heat and humidity, it's good practice to replace your sunscreen every year.

Does Sunscreen Expire?

Understanding Sunscreen Expiration

Sunscreen expires when its ability to protect against UV rays decreases. Heat and light speed up this process, making the sunscreen less effective over time. Understanding signs of deterioration, such as changes in texture or scent, can be important signs that a sunscreen should be replaced. Other ingredients in the sunscreen can also expire.

girl applying Nivea sun protection spray

How long does unopened sunscreen last?

Sunscreen Shelf Life

When it comes to the shelf life of sunscreen, understanding both the duration of products whether they are unopened or opened and how to find expiration dates is key.

Unopened Sunscreen Shelf Life:
Unopened sunscreen usually lasts 2 to 3 years, depending on its formula and how it's packaged. The type of active ingredients can affect how quickly it breaks down. Good quality packaging, like airtight, opaque containers, protects it from light and air, helping to maintain its effectiveness. For best results, store sunscreen in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.
Finding Expiry Dates:
Most sunscreens do not have an expiry date as such, but rather a period of validity after opening.The Period After Opening (PAO) symbol on sunscreen, shown as an open jar icon, indicates how long the product remains effective after opening. It includes a number followed by 'M' (e.g., '12M' means 12 months). Unopened sunscreen stored in cool, dark conditions should be used within 2 to 3 years. If your unopened sunscreen changes in consistency, smell, or colour occur, it's time to replace it.

Some products may have an expiration date, which can be found next to the hourglass symbol on the packaging. In this case, it will of course be necessary to replace the product after this date.
NIVEA sun creams do not have an expiration date, but only a period of validity after opening.

How long does sunscreen last once opened?

Sunscreen Duration: How Long Does It Last?

Sunscreen generally lasts 6 to 12 months after opening, but this can vary. Look for the open jar symbol on the packaging to see how long it remains effective once opened. For example, at the back of the NIVEA Protect and Moisture Sun Lotion FPS30, you’ll see a ‘12M’ on the open jar symbol.

When you open a new sun cream, make a note of the opening date if possible. Sunscreen opened after 12 months should not be used.

In fact, using sunscreen within its recommended timeframe is crucial for effective protection against UV rays, helping to prevent sunburn and skin damage.

Factors affecting sunscreen longevity

3 Sunscreen Conservation and Storage Tips

Skincare ingredients in sunscreen naturally may deteriorate over time but storing it properly can slow this process. Here are three tips to maintain its effectiveness:

Keep it in a dark place: Store sunscreen in a cabinet or drawer away from direct sunlight, as UV rays can speed up ingredient breakdown.
Avoid heat exposure: Store sunscreen in a cool, dry place to prevent the formula from degrading and losing effectiveness.
Watch out for moisture: Avoid humid areas like bathrooms, as moisture can cause ingredients to separate or even lead to mould growth, shortening the lifespan of your sunscreen.

Sunscreen Effectiveness

How Long Does Sunscreen Last on the Skin?

Sunscreen typically protects for about two hours, varying with SPF level and activity. Reapplying sunscreen immediately after swimming in the water or heavy sweating ensures continued protection. Regular reapplication every two hours is also recommended for optimal skin safety.

When Does Sun Cream Lose Its Effect?

Environmental factors such as water exposure, sweat, and friction from clothing can diminish sunscreen effectiveness over time. Sunscreens with lower SPF levels or inadequate application may offer less protection, requiring more frequent reapplication.

The NIVEA Sun UV Face Specialist Triple Protect SPF 50+

The NIVEA Sun UV Face Specialist Triple Protect SPF 50+ offers advanced protection for your skin. This lightweight formula shields your face from harmful UV rays, pollution and blue light damage, helping to prevent sun-induced ageing and pigmentation.

Enriched with Vitamin E, Hyaluronic acid and Algae Extract, it helps hydrates and moisturises while protecting your skin from environmental stressors. Ideal for daily use, it provides high-performance care without clogging pores, leaving your skin radiant and smooth,

Can You Used Expired Sunscreen?

No, you should not use expired sunscreen. Using expired sunscreen can significantly reduce your skin's protection against harmful UV rays, and increases the risk of infection in the event of contamination, especially in fragile or immunocompromised individuals. The active ingredients degrade over time, making them less effective at blocking or absorbing UV radiation. This can lead to inadequate protection, increased skin damage and a higher risk of sunburn. Always check the expiration date or the period of validity after opening, as the case may be and replace your sunscreen regularly to ensure optimal skin safety.

Facts Overview

Sunscreen

Conservation:
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Close the container tightly after use to prevent air and moisture exposure. Avoid storing in humid areas like bathrooms.

Application:
Apply generously and evenly to all exposed skin before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours.

Duration:
Typically lasts for about two hours on the skin, with reapplication recommended every two hours or more frequently depending on activity and exposure.

Expiration:
Check the symbols on packaging and replace sunscreen if expired. Discard sunscreen that has changed in colour, texture, or smell.

Sunscreen For You

NIVEA SUN offers a range of products designed to meet the diverse needs of different ages, skin types and concerns.

General NIVEA Sun Care:

NIVEA Sun Care offers a range of products for effective sun protection, catering to different skin types and needs. NIVEA sunscreens provide broad-spectrum UV defence while nourishing the skin. Regular use helps prevent sunburn, premature ageing, and long-term skin damage.

The NIVEA SUN Protect & Moisture Spray SPF 50+ is formulated with Vitamin E and Glycerin to moisturise and protect the skin.

NIVEA Sun Care Products

Face Sunscreen:

NIVEA's Face Sunscreens offer tailored protection with formulas designed to nourish and defend delicate facial skin. From lightweight, non-greasy options to anti-ageing solutions, each product combines high SPF protection with skin care benefits for a radiant complexion under the sun.

The NIVEA UV Face Anti-Age Q10 Cream SPF 50, formulated with Q10, moisturises the skin and helps to prevent skin ageing signs such as sun-induced wrinkles, this sunscreen is ideal for mature skin.

NIVEA Face Sunscreen

Kids Sunscreens:

NIVEA Kids Sunscreens offer gentle, yet effective protection specially formulated for children's delicate skin. With very high SPF levels and water-resistant formulas, they provide reliable sun protection during outdoor activities. The NIVEA SUN Kids Protect & Care is specifically for children, this sunscreen provides high SPF protection with a formula that's gentle on young, sensitive skin.

NIVEA Kids Sunscreen

Summary

Understanding sunscreen expiration is crucial for maintaining effective sun protection. Remember to always check expiration dates, or the validity period after opening, and adhere to proper storage guidelines to maximise sunscreen efficacy. By prioritising sun care and adopting recommended practices, you can ensure optimal protection against harmful UV rays and help to safeguard your skin's health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can sunscreen expire?

Yes, sunscreen can expire. It's important to always check the expiration date or the period of validity after opening, as the case may be and replace sunscreen if it has passed its expiration date or the months by the jar symbol after opening.

What are the signs that sunscreen has expired?

Signs of expired sunscreen include changes in colour, texture, or smell. If the sunscreen appears different from when you first purchased it, it’s likely to have expired and should be discarded.

How long does sunscreen last on the skin?

Sunscreen typically provides protection for about two hours, but this can vary depending on factors like SPF level, activity, and environmental conditions.

Can you use expired sunscreen?

You shouldn't use sunscreen that has passed its expiry date or its validity period after opening as it may have reduced effectiveness in protecting against UV rays. It could also be subject to microbial contamination. Check the expiration date regularly and replace sunscreen if it has expired.

How should you store sunscreen?

Store sunscreen in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Ensure the container is tightly closed to prevent air and moisture exposure. Avoid storing in humid areas like bathrooms.

How do you know if sunscreen is still good?

Check for changes in appearance, texture, or smell. If it's discoloured, lumpy, or has an odd odour, replace it. Don't use it anymore if it doesn't provide expected protection or causes irritation.

How long is sunscreen good for?

The shelf life for sunscreen is typically a year after opening. Always check the number of months indicated on the packaging next to the open jar symbol. Store properly, protected from light, heat and humidity to preserve its effectiveness.