The ritual is familiar. Start of summer, rummage through the bathroom cupboard, find last year’s bottle. Is it still good?
Short answer: maybe. Longer answer: here’s how to tell.
Does Sunscreen Actually Expire?
Yes. Sunscreen is a cosmetic product with active ingredients – UV filters – that degrade over time. As they break down, they become less effective at blocking UV radiation. Using expired sunscreen isn’t dangerous, but it may not protect your skin the way you expect it to.
Most sunscreens have a shelf life of two to three years from the date of manufacture. Once opened, most formulas are best used within 12 months – you’ll usually find this indicated by the open jar symbol on the packaging (a number followed by “M”, for months).
How to Check Your Bottle
Look for two things on the packaging:
- The expiry date – printed directly on the bottle or tube, usually shown as “EXP” followed by a month and year.
- The period after opening (PAO) – the open jar symbol with a number (e.g., 12M means 12 months after opening).
If the expiry date has passed, or you’ve had it open significantly longer than the PAO suggests, it’s time for a fresh bottle.
What Else Affects Shelf Life?
How you store sunscreen matters almost as much as how old it is. Heat, direct sunlight and humidity all accelerate the breakdown of UV filters – which is exactly the environment most people keep sunscreen in. A hot car, a beach bag in the sun, a steamy bathroom.
For best results, store sunscreen somewhere cool and dry, and keep the cap on between applications.
Signs It’s Time to Replace It
- The texture has changed – separation, clumping or unusual consistency
- The smell is off
- The colour has changed
- You’ve had it for more than a year and can’t remember exactly when you opened it
If in doubt, replace it. The cost of a new bottle is considerably less than the cost of a bad burn.
Start the Season Right
Malibu’s full sun protection range is available online and in stores. New bottle, new season. Summer starts now.
