Every year around this time I dig out a beach bag from my closet and discover a sunscreen from last summer. At some point, I remember hearing that you should never use last year's sunscreen. Since I spend a lot of time running outdoors, I tend to be overly cautious when it comes to protecting my skin. So, in the past, I've been in the habit of just tossing last summer's bottles.
But I recently did some research and found that, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, most sunscreens are effective for more than just a year. In fact, most bottles of sunscreen have an expiration date stamped on them -- usually about three years. You may need to look closely at your bottle -- sometimes the expiration date is written in very small print.
However, extreme heat can cause sunscreen to lose its effectiveness, even if it isn't expired. Check to see if the sunscreen is runny, gooey, or smells funny. If it's suspect or if you can't find a date on an old bottle of sunscreen, just play it safe and throw it away.
So, for best results, make sure you use your sunscreen before its expiration date, and store it in a cool place.
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