Key Takeaway
Use sunscreen up until either its printed expiration date or its period-after-opening date, whichever comes first — and if you notice signs it's gone bad, like separation, discoloration, or an odd smell, toss it even if time is left. Keep it somewhere cool, away from direct sunlight and heat.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises considering a sunscreen with no printed date expired 3 years after purchase
- Storing sunscreen in a car, near a window, or in direct sun can make the formula go bad faster, even before the expiration date
- Making one bottle last unusually long can be a sign you're not applying enough
People tend to keep one bottle of sunscreen around for a long time, which makes it easy to lose track of its expiration date and storage condition. SKINROUTE breaks down how to read a sunscreen's expiration date, the signs it's gone bad, and how to store it so it keeps working.
Yes, Sunscreen Has an Expiration Date
Sunscreen only does its job if the UV-blocking ingredients inside are still working. Over time, or if it's stored somewhere hot, the ingredients and formula can change, and it may no longer block UV as well as the label claims.
Two different dates to know
- Expiration date: The date printed on the container or box. It's based on the product staying unopened.
- Period-after-opening (PAO): Marked as something like "12M" inside an icon of an open jar. 12M means use it within 12 months of opening.
If both dates are listed, go by whichever one comes first. Writing the date you opened it on the container helps avoid confusion.
If there's no date printed
The FDA advises considering a sunscreen with no expiration date printed as expired 3 years after purchase. That said, a product stored somewhere hot can go bad sooner, so check for signs of spoilage too.
Sunscreen with No Expiration Date
- Maximum time to use it, counting from purchase
- 3 years
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Signs Your Sunscreen Has Gone Bad
Even with time left before the expiration date, the formula can go bad first depending on how it's been stored. A quick look and sniff before you use it is the most reliable check.
Signs It's Time to Replace It
- Water and oil have separated into layers
- The color has turned yellowish
- It smells sour or rancid
- It's clumped or the texture feels different
- It stings or triggers a reaction on your skin that's unusual for you
If you notice even one of these signs, it's safer not to use it even if time is left before the expiration date. A sunscreen with a changed formula can be hard to spread evenly on your face, which can leave gaps in coverage.
Storage Conditions That Ruin Sunscreen
The car, near a window
A car interior and a sunlit window get far hotter in summer than you'd expect. Heat speeds up how quickly a sunscreen's formula changes, so avoid leaving it in the car as a habit.
Direct sunlight
The FDA advises against storing sunscreen containers in direct sunlight. Avoid a sunlit vanity top or the outer pocket of an outdoor bag.
The bathroom
A bathroom's humidity and swings in temperature can speed up when the formula goes bad. Store it somewhere cool and shaded instead.
Storing Sunscreen — Do This, Avoid That
✓ Do
- Store at cool, shaded room temperature
- Close the cap tightly after use
- Write down the date you opened it
- Keep it in the shade inside your bag when out
✕ Avoid
- Leaving it on a car dashboard or in the glovebox
- A sunlit windowsill or vanity top
- A hot, humid bathroom shelf
- Keeping a small decanted container around for a long time
When traveling or carrying it around
At the beach or pool, don't leave sunscreen sitting in direct sun — keep it in your bag or in the shade. If you decant some into a small container, use a clean one and try to use it up quickly. Don't forget to reapply every 2 hours outdoors, and right away after swimming or sweating. Reapplication tips are covered in The Complete Guide to Reapplying Sunscreen
What to Check by Texture
Even stored the same way, different textures show wear differently first.
What to Check for Spoilage by Texture
| What to Check First | Before Using | |
|---|---|---|
| Cream · lotion | Water/oil separation, texture change | If separated, replace it rather than shaking it back together |
| Stick · balm | Signs of melting and re-hardening, surface discoloration | If it's been somewhere hot, check the texture first |
| Tone-up · tinted | Pigment settling to the bottom | Shake well before use, per the product instructions |
If One Bottle Is Lasting You a Long Time
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises applying a generous amount and reapplying every 2 hours outdoors. Following that standard, a bottle of sunscreen goes faster than you'd expect. Studies looking at real-world usage found that most people apply far less than the amount used to measure the labeled SPF.
So if you've had the same bottle going for years, check your amount before you check the expiration date. For how to gauge the amount your face needs, see The Right Sunscreen Amount and the Two-Finger Rule. Applying enough and replacing it within its dates is better for both protection and hygiene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover sunscreen from last year this summer?
Yes, if both the expiration date and the period-after-opening date still have time left, it wasn't stored somewhere hot, and there's no separation, discoloration, or odd smell. If even one of those is off, switch to a new one.
Does keeping sunscreen in the fridge make it last longer?
Somewhere cool is good, but moving it back and forth between the fridge and room temperature often can destabilize the formula from the temperature swings. Cool, shaded room temperature, away from direct sun and heat, is enough.
What happens if I use expired sunscreen?
The UV-blocking ingredients may not work properly, so it may not block UV as well as labeled, and a changed formula can irritate skin. It's best not to use a product past its date.
How do I judge it if there's no expiration date printed?
Per FDA guidance, consider it expired 3 years after purchase. Even before 3 years, replace it if you notice signs it's gone bad.
Should I throw out sunscreen I left in the car over summer?
If it sat in a hot car for a while, check first for separation, discoloration, or odd smell even if time is left before the expiration date. If you notice a change, replacing it is the safer call.
Find the Sunscreen That Fits Your Skin
Sunscreen needs to feel right on your skin for you to keep applying enough of it every day. SKIN100 Precision Skin Analysis uses over 100 survey questions to analyze 8 core factors — lifestyle habits, skincare habits, external environment, and more — to point you toward the right sun protection habits for your skin. Your AI coach guides you through the texture and routine to match your results.