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Why buy a new line of sun creme for face and body when there’s so much of last year’s left? The answer: because it’s probably expired, and in that case, using it could be harmful to your health.
Good suncremes don’t have to be expensive. Cheap products from discounters regularly win out in relevant tests. Nevertheless, any sustainably-minded person would be reluctant to simply throw away opened tubes or sprays. But once suncreme has expired, it loses its UV protection. Anyone who doesn’t know this and reaches for an opened bottle from the previous year is exposing themselves to greater dangers. You think you’re safe from the sometimes aggressive UV radiation – and risk the very thing you actually want to avoid by applying suncreme
Expired sunscreen defeats its purpose. This is because oxygen in opened tubes or sprays leads to oxidation, and this process causes the ingredients to change, making it impossible to maintain the protective function correctly. Then you risk sunburn and potentially serious skin damage as a result. UV rays from the sun are known to alter the DNA in skin cells and can eventually cause skin cancer.
In addition, substances that may be produced in the process could well be carcinogenic. A study by French and American scientists, published in March 2021, has recently provided new evidence for the thesis: According to it, creams with the UV protection filter octocrylene have formed benzophenones over time, which are considered possibly carcinogenic.
Skin rash
Less serious, but also unpleasant, is the likelihood of intolerance reactions of the skin. After exceeding the shelf life, the chemical composition of the product changes. Skin irritation and rash may be the result of application.
Briefly explain how the sun protection factor (SPF) works. The number indicated on the packaging tells how much time it extends the skin’s own protection against sunburn. The higher the indicated SPF, the longer you can be exposed to the sun – as long as you remember to reapply your sunscreen regularly. The German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) recommends an SPF of at least 20 for adults, depending on skin type, and at least 30 for children. Light skin types are generally better off with a higher level of protection.
How can you tell if sunscreen has expired?
Only rarely are sunscreen products – like body and face creams in general – marked with an expiration date. The maximum time you should use a sunscreen after opening it is written on the tube or can: the corresponding symbol is an opened round can, which, for example, says “12 M”. This means twelve months. After that, you should dispose of it.
External factors influence expiration
Sunscreen is usually usable for about a year after opening. However, there are factors that shorten the usability of sun cremes. For example, improper storage in high heat, for example, which can significantly affect the quality. Make sure to put the sunscreen in the shade during sunbathing. To store the product for months, cool rooms or the refrigerator are suitable. In case of doubt, please take a closer look – and smell – before use: If the consistency and / or smell have changed, the cream is probably tilted.
When in doubt, throw away old sun cream
When in doubt, all this can mean throwing away a cream bottle that is still well-filled. A pity – but definitely better for your skin.
By the way, (a little) saving is still possible with sunscreen, because it doesn’t have to be an expensive product. The experts from Stiftung Warentest and Öko-Test establish every year anew that even discounter and drugstore sun creams protect effectively against the sun.
Expert advice from Munich dermatologist Dr. Timm Golüke.
— source: fitbook.de/picture: pixabay.com
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