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When Should I Throw Out Sunscreen?

By , About.com Guide

Updated May 04, 2012

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Female Runner Applying SunscreenColin Anderson
Question: When Should I Throw Out Sunscreen?
"I have some sunscreen leftover from last summer. Is it safe to use last year's sunscreen when I go out running?"
Answer: Runners spend a lot of time outdoors, so wearing sunscreen is critical for skin protection. But if you're wearing expired sunscreen, you're not protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays as effectively as you could.

Although you may have heard that you should get rid of sunscreen after a year, most sunscreens actually have an expiration date of three years. Look closely at your bottle – sometimes the expiration date is written in very small print. If you can't find a date on an old bottle of sunscreen, play it safe and throw it away.

For best results, make sure you use your sunscreen before its expiration date, and store it in a cool place.

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