How Long Does Sunscreen Last?

It’s important to keep in mind that if you’re using sunscreen correctly, it shouldn’t last you all that long.

Realistically, if you’re using sunscreen the way it’s directed, each bottle shouldn’t last you more than a couple of months. The recommendation is to put on a full ounce of sunscreen to cover the exposed parts of the body ― arms, legs, back, and chest.

The SPF protection found in sunscreen helps guard against:

• Early skin aging
• Skin damage
• Skin cancer
• Sunburns
• Sunspots

An ounce is the size of a typical shot glass. And as most sunscreen bottles have about 4 ounces in them, you could be using the whole bottle in a single day or within a few weeks if you’re outside a lot.

But what about end-of-the-season sales? Most stores will offer marked-down sunblock to help get rid of inventory.

It might be okay, but you don’t know how the sunscreen was stored. It could have been kept in a hot warehouse all summer long. At that point, the active ingredients may have already gone bad.

When it comes down to it, it’s reasonable to replace sunscreen every summer ― or every month, if you’re using it often. If you don’t spend much time outside, store it in a cool, dry area over the winter.

While some manufacturers print the expiration date on the label or bottle, some don’t.

Write the date you got the sunscreen on the bottle to remember when it’s time to replace it. And remember that sunscreen can maintain its full strength for three years if stored properly.

Make sure your use sunscreen properly and practice the best skin care possible. Need more skin tips?

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