When stored properly, sunscreen should be tossed after a few years.
Sunscreen is a beach essential, but the protective lotion isn’t effective forever.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that sunscreens retain their original strengths for a minimum of three years. Because of this, some brands label their bottles with an expiration date.
If there’s no expiration date listed on your bottle, the Mayo Clinic recommends writing the date that you purchased the product on its package. And, per the FDA, you’ll want to toss it after three years because you can’t be sure if it’s still effective or safe.
To make sure your sunscreen lasts for as long as possible, it’s best to store it in a cool place away from excessive heat.
