King explains that this is because they’re photostable. This is especially true if the active ingredient is a physical sunblock like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. ![]() “If it’s only slightly past the expiration date and the sunscreen looks, feels, and smells normal, then I would feel OK about using it if I didn’t have another option,” says King. Turns out, expired sunscreen is better than no sunscreen. ![]() Is expired sunscreen better than no sunscreen? “The heat and sun can break down the chemicals and render them ineffective and potentially irritating to the skin,” explains King. In addition to this, exposure from direct sunlight and high temperatures can cause sunscreen to become less effective over time. Once sunscreen has expired, it becomes less effective at blocking UV rays, therefore increasing your risk of sunburn and skin cancer. “For optimal sun protection as well as texture, stability, and sterility, use the sunscreen prior to the expiration date,” says King. The only exception to this is when a manufacturer has proven its product to last at least 3 years. You can look to the expiration date on a bottle of sunscreen to determine how long it will last. Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, primarily contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. “Chemical sunscreens consist of innately unstable molecules, but in the past few years manufacturers have started adding stabilizers like octocrylene,” explains King. The main difference between the two is that physical sunscreen sits on top of the skin to reflect UVA and UVB rays, whereas chemical sunscreens convert UV rays into heat. Hadley King, physical (or mineral) sunscreens are more stable compared with chemical sunscreens, and therefore usually have longer shelf lives. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all sunscreens remain at their full strength for 3 years.Īccording to NYC dermatologist Dr.
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