Video TranscriptVideo Transcript Narrator: Does sunscreen expire? Here’s how it works and how long it lasts. Video: *Shows a woman applying sunscreen to her face.* Narrator: Sunscreen is an important part of protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. But how long does it actually last? Video: *Shows a montage of people using sunscreen.* Narrator: Most sunscreens have a shelf life of about three years. However, the expiration date is based on the assumption that the sunscreen has been stored properly. Video: *Shows a woman storing sunscreen in a cool, dark place.* Narrator: If sunscreen is stored in a warm or humid environment, it can break down more quickly. So, it’s important to store your sunscreen in a cool, dark place. Video: *Shows a woman using an expired sunscreen.* Narrator: Using expired sunscreen can be ineffective and even dangerous. If you’re not sure if your sunscreen is still good, it’s best to throw it out and buy a new one. Video: *Shows a montage of people enjoying the sun safely.* Narrator: By following these tips, you can help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays and keep your sunscreen working effectively. On-screen text: For more information on sunscreen, visit the American Academy of Dermatology website.
Has Sunscreen Expired? Here’s How It Works and How Long Does It Last
Can sunscreen expire? Here’s how sunscreen works and what you need to know about expiration dates.
Google searches for sunburns and how to deal with them increase every year around Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. If you’ve found yourself with a painful burn after a baseball game, pool party, or beach outing, we’re here to help.
To prevent further burning and skin damage, medical experts recommend using sunscreen daily, especially during the summer months when you are likely to be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
“The most important thing to do if you get a sunburn is to prevent further damage,” dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, tells USA TODAY. “That means avoiding more sun exposure and helping to repair your damaged skin barrier.”
Overexposure to UV rays is responsible for more than 90 percent of skin cancers, according to the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. Getting one severe sunburn before adulthood doubles your risk of developing skin cancer later in life, and getting more than five sunburns can double your risk of developing melanoma, a less common but deadlier form of skin cancer.
Research shows that approximately 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each day in the U.S. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, experts estimate that one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives.
“Sunscreen reduces the amount of UV exposure your skin gets,” says Zubritsky. But it’s not always applied correctly, or too little, which can lead to sunburn.
According to experts, these are the best options for now – and tips to avoid – when it comes to treating sunburn.
What to put on a sunscreen
According to Zubritsky, “sunburns take time to heal, but you can speed up the healing process with a gentle, moisturizing, and restorative approach.”
According to Zubritsky, it’s best to combine this approach with things like cold baths, moisturizers containing aloe vera, and ibuprofen to reduce pain, redness, and discomfort.
What not to put on sunburned skin
Ice is a common remedy, but experts say applying it directly to your damaged skin can do more harm than good. And some people turn to products containing benzocaine, a topical anesthetic, but Zubritsky warns against trying this on a sunburn.
“This can further irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction,” she says, which is the last thing you want to risk when you’re trying to find relief for already irritated and sore skin.
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