Sunscreen

Does sunscreen expire?
Just like most other liquid and cream beauty products, sunscreen does come with an expiration date. The main reason sunscreen expires is because its ingredients degrade and oxidize over time. If you use an expired sunscreen, you may find that it does not protect you as well as it should. An expired sunscreen may feel grainy or have changes in odor and color. Any emulsions might separate into solids and liquids, making it challenging to even spread the sunscreen properly.

How long does sunscreen last?
Most sunscreens will expire about three years after being manufactured. This is particularly true of brands made in the U.S. since the FDA requires them to remain at original strength for at least three years. However, there are some sunscreens that may expire in as little as a single year.

Sunscreen or moisturizer first?
The answer to this question will depend on what sort of sunscreen you use. Many people use chemical sunscreens, which should be applied before your moisturizer. When used as part of your morning routine, you should make sure chemical sunscreens are the first thing to touch your skin. This is necessary because these products need to soak into the skin to be as effective as possible.

If you use a physical sunscreen instead, you have more leeway in application time. However, your moisturizer may not be able to soak through the sunscreen to moisturize your skin properly. Furthermore, moisturizers, BB creams, and other layers can cake when placed on top of physical sunscreen. For most people, the best time to apply physical sunscreen will be after moisturizer.

What SPF do I need?
SPF stands for sun protection factor. The rating indicates how long your sunscreen extends your sun protection. For example, an SPF of 10 means you can be in the sun for 10 times longer than usual before you start to burn. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people wear a sunscreen with an SPF 15 rating every day. This provides protection for daily activities like walking to your car or sitting by a sunny window.

While SPF 15 is the bare minimum for those who spend a few minutes outside, many experts recommend using an SPF of 30 for your daily sunscreen. If you plan on being outside or an extended amount of time, increase your SPF to 50. This will give adequate protection when sitting at the beach or going on a hike. You can learn more about SPF, and other sun protection tips on our Suncare 101 guide.

What does broad spectrum mean?
Broad spectrum refers to the type of coverage the sunscreen provides. Light from the sun scatters into multiple types of rays including UVA and UVB. To qualify as a broad-spectrum sunscreen, a sunscreen must provide equal amounts of protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

Some types of sunscreen only protect from UVB rays as these are associated with skin burning. However, UVA rays are associated with skin aging. If you are concerned about wrinkles, age spots, and other skin damage from the sun, a broad-spectrum sunscreen can be a good choice.

Can you bring sunscreen on a plane?
Planning on going on a vacation where you relax in the sun? The good news is that you can take your favorite sunscreen on the plane with you. Check out our travel size sunscreen to stay protected on-the-go, or you can decant your favorite sunscreen into a travel-size container. Check the security page for the airports you will be visiting for more specifics.