Sun cream 2 years in a row?

Sunrise_Sunset

Not sure if this is the right forum.
Would anyone know if you can use sun cream for 2 years in a row? I.e the package has the use within 12 months of opening picture on it, but is that just a guideline? Would it have reduced protection or would it have next to no protection? I use factor 50, if it were to only reduce to about the equivalent of a factor 40 for example, I wouldn't mind continuing to use it, but if it were to have reduced to say factor 10 or something I wouldn't.
I barely touched last years sun cream and it seems like such a waste to throw them out, but if they aren't going to be effective I would buy new ones.

BrokenArrows

Yes you can use it.
It might have reduced protection but probably not a noticeable difference.

We have bottles of it around for years and never noticed a problem with the previous years stuff.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sunscreen-expire/faq-20057957#:~:text=Sunscreens%20are%20required%20by%20the,they're%20no%20longer%20effective.

similar standards probably applies to Europe also

Sunscreens are required by the Food and Drug Administration to remain at their original strengths for at least three years. This means that you can use leftover sunscreen from one year to the next.

probably would not last well if constantly being heated up by the sun but not a problem in Ireland usually!

Sunrise_Sunset

glasso wrote: »

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sunscreen-expire/faq-20057957#:~:text=Sunscreens%20are%20required%20by%20the,they're%20no%20longer%20effective.

similar standards probably applies to Europe also



probably would not last well if constantly being heated up by the sun but not a problem in Ireland usually!

Brilliant! Thanks for that link. I opened them in May last year. Would love if I got this summer out of them. Safe for kids too? Would have to be too, wouldn't it really. They are fair skinned and light eyed but not extremely fair/blonde.

PetitPois89

I would err on the side of caution, particularly with the kids. A few years back my boyfriend used year old SPF 30 sun cream on holidays and got very badly burned. But that was in Spain and the Irish sun doesn't exactly compare :cool:

ILoveYourVibes

I wouldn't.

GingerLily

To be safe I always replace spf each summer