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When on vacation to the beach, sunscreen is certainly not left behind to take with you. Sunscreen, aka sunblock, is useful for protecting your skin from the hot sun so that the skin is not damaged. However, what if the sunscreen that is used has expired? Can I still use expired sunblock?
How long will the sunblock expire?
Every sunscreen product has an expiration date. Expiration means the safe limit for using sunblock. Sunscreen that has passed its expiration date is no longer effective if used. We recommend that you remove sunblocks that are past the expiration date.
Usually, sunscreen products have an expiration period of one year, two years, or at most as long as three years. Every sunscreen formula may be different, so it will expire differently.
If the sunscreen product you buy doesn't include an expiration date, it's best to write down when you bought the sunblock. If it has passed 3 years or if the sunscreen has undergone various changes, it should be discarded - don't use it. Usually sunblocks that have passed the expiration date will experience changes in color, smell, or consistency.
However, there are also those who say that sunscreen can still be used for up to 6 months from the expiration date. However, with a note that the sunblock has not changed in color, smell, or consistency. If it is more than this grace period or if the sunscreen has changed, you should not use it again.
Changes to sunscreen may be influenced by various factors. One of them is hot. Heat can degrade the quality and take away the benefits of sunscreen. Therefore, it is not recommended that you store sunscreen in a place that is exposed to hot sunlight, such as in a car.
What will happen if using expired sunblock?
Sunscreens contain several inorganic compounds, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. This compound protects the skin from the sun by absorbing or reflecting the sun's UV rays. Apart from that, sunscreens also contain other compounds, such as oil, aloe vera, and emulsifiers (which mix oil and water together).
However, prolonged storage (until the sunblock expires) or storage in the wrong place can change these compounds. The compound that usually changes first is the emulsifier. Thus, the consistency of sunscreen becomes damaged, water and oil separate. Sunscreen becomes more fluid, harsh, or doesn't stick well to your skin. In addition, the compounds in sunscreens can also react with one another.
This can reduce the function of sunscreen. The closer the sunscreen is to its expiration date, the SPF in the sunscreen can also decrease over time. Thus, sunscreens are no longer effective in protecting your skin from the risk of burns, damage, premature aging, or skin cancer due to sun radiation. Using expired sunscreen might actually cause irritation or itching on your skin. Of course, this can damage the health of your skin.
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