Shelf life of sun protection products

Primrose

I have a shelf full of half used sun protection creams, some of which must be several years old. What is the shelf life and efficiency
of these products? They have no expiry dates on them. Will they still be effective or should I have a good clear out and start again with fresh products next year? I hate waste but no point in storing products which don't do the job.

heuchera

If you look on the back of the product there's a little symbol which shows you how long it'll remain effective after opening. I wouldn't chance it with a sunscreen that's several years old, but maybe a year or two would be ok?

COOLTRIKERCHICK

what I understand is, it loses it 'factor' so you don't get so much protection...

Primrose

Well I suppose there is nothing to stop me using them in winter as an alternative to a moisturising cream. !

Linda32

Thats true!

Products like this are dated though, if you look on the tube there will be a picture of an open lid then a number. Sun cream usually has 12 months on it.

mrsr

I wonder how that works in foundations etc,I bought a BB cream with a factor 50 there didn't seem to be any date on it.

Pollycat

The key thing is when the suncream was first opened and how/where it was stored.

I use Boots Soltan and it says to use within 18 months of opening.

When I buy suncream (I often stock up when it's half price or BPGOF - but we do holiday abroad for at least 10 weeks each year so we use a lot), I write the date I bought it on the bottom in permanent marker so I know how long I've had it. It doesn't actually give me the date it was first opened but still a pretty good indication.

I would definitely not use the stuff you've had for several years as suncream protection.

NaughtySpot

I think it's 12 months from opening. There are things I'm happy to risk but suncream isn't one of them TBH.

marmiterulesok

Primrose wrote: »

Well I suppose there is nothing to stop me using them in winter as an alternative to a moisturising cream. !

That's just what I was going to suggest!

Pollycat

NaughtySpot wrote: »

I think it's 12 months from opening. There are things I'm happy to risk but suncream isn't one of them TBH.

It depends on the product.

My Boots Soltan definitely says 18 months from opening.

zzzLazyDaisy

I thinkit also depends how it is stored. I read sometime ago that sun protection cream that has been exposed to sunshine (on a beach for example) loses its active factor very quickly.

Personally I tend to use up suntan lotion on holiday. If any bottles have only a small amount left I give them away to another holiday maker or just bin them before I leave. You can get suntan lotion quite cheaply on bogof these days and my own view is that sun protection is too important to risk for the sake of saving a few pennies.