How long does sunscreen last?
Often the first hot day of the year comes out of the blue, meaning you rummage deep into the back of the bathroom cabinet for an unfinished bottle of your favourite sun cream, excited to crack it open and smell your favourite scent again. But how long does sun cream last? Will it still offer you optimal sun protection?
It’s a question frequently asked by those who love the sun, but who are also aware of the dangers of not wearing sun protection. Consumers want to know that the sun cream they have spent their money on is performing its job properly.
Do sun creams have an expiry date?
Sun creams are not legally required to have an expiry date, as long as "products are shown to be stable for at least 3 years, supported by appropriate stability data."
All Hawaiian Tropic sun creams have this data generated on the side of every product to ensure that they will keep their level of protection for 3 years or longer. This means that when you buy a Hawaiian Tropic product and want to know when it was manufactured, you can contact Hawaiian Tropic to ask, quoting the batch code number printed on the product packaging label.
How often should you reapply sun cream?
Sun cream should be fully reapplied every two hours. It’s useful to know how often you will need to reapply sun cream if you are looking to estimate how much sun cream to pack for your holiday, and to avoid having leftover packaging.
Make sure you treat reapplying sun cream with as much care as you do the first application. Silky-smooth, lightweight sun creams that smell good and absorb easily will be a pleasure to massage in - enjoy the ritual!
If the packaging doesn’t have an expiry date, how do I know if my sun cream has expired?
If you can’t remember when you bought the product, take a look at the texture of the sun cream. If the formula has started to separate or the smell has changed, it’s best to throw it away.
These changes can happen when the product isn’t stored in a cool, dry place. Applying obviously expired sunscreen can irritate the skin and reduce sun protection, which can lead to sunburn.
When in doubt, throw it out
As long as sun cream has been stored in optimal conditions in a cool, dry place, it should last up to 3 years.
Often sun cream will have been moved from bag to bag, stored in the sun on the beach, or left in a very hot car.
Other people find that they need more luggage space when leaving their holiday destination (to squeeze in all those holiday bargains) so use up the sun cream during their holiday and buy new every year.
Sun protection, 365 days a year
Sun protection shouldn’t be something you only think about on holiday. It is advisable to use sun protection daily, as UVA rays damage skin all year round.
With frequent use, sun cream bottles will be finished before they expire. If you lead an active outdoor lifestyle, such as running, paddleboarding or horse riding, you will need to ensure you are wearing a high factor sun cream on your face, even in the winter sun.
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Face Sunscreen offers daily sun protection in place of your usual moisturiser, hydrating your skin without clogging pores. This cream is designed to pamper as well as protect, and is so lightweight that you can wear it under your everyday makeup.
If you live in a city or enjoy city breaks, Hawaiian Tropic Duo Defense Mist Spray is a facial and body sun protection mist. This sun protection spray refreshes skin with green tea extract and also adds an anti-pollution barrier. The handy spray allows you to apply on the go, without the mess.
Keep sun cream at the front of your cabinet as a reminder to protect your skin, whatever the season.
