Do suntan lotions REALLY go off?

[AnonyMust]

I have sooooo many. Happy to chuck this over a year and a half old, but I'm not prepared to believe the hype on those a year old. Do you?

[AnonyMust]

Those - not 'this'

[NellyNoodle1]

I don't - I don't go abroad every year and obviously not much use the last couple in this country - I probably use some of mine for two years - one day I went to a show all day and used it I only got burnt on the bits I'd missed! I probably wouldn't risk it with children but they probably go through it a lot quicker anyway.

[BeanyIsPregnant]

read number 16

Money saving expert knows everything!

[ThrowAChickenInTheAir]

Thanks for this Anonymust (and the link Beany!)

I've always used 'last years' if I have any but probably no older than that. I'm sure stock you buy in the shops wasn't always actually manufactured this year anyway.

[goodtimesinbontemps]

I use last years too. I always seem to buy a new bottle just before the good weather finishes and then its left sitting there til the following May or whenever the summer starts again!

[Notso]

I was thinking about this the other day. We are using some that was opened on holiday last March. It is working fine so far.

[Mostlyjustaluker]

Apparently they start to become less effective so you may need to reapply for often. I can't see after a year they will just suddenly stop working.

[MCSpammer]

thanks for that link beany some really helpful stuff esp the bit about poss compensation for a delayed flight. I had a long one a couple of years ago so will be chasing that up ... already thing about what sartorial delights I could spend the money on

[ilovepowerhoop]

they normally have a couple of years shelf life but if they have been opened and used on holiday then they can start to get less effective. I have a couple of bottles we didnt use this year so I would use them next year. We left the part used ones behind as the reps had a box you could put them for others that run out of creams as it saved them buying more at the (expensive) wee shop in the resort

[PittTheYounger]

nah - i think bollocks

[TimeForAnotherNameChange]

I use the end of a previous year's bottle early on in the next year's season (Mar-Apr) and then buy a new one come June-ish time. That way I have top notch protection when I really start to need it in the strongest sunshine but slightly lesser in early spring when it's not so essential.

[libertychick]

I have sensitive skin and for some reason 1 year old sunscreen always brings me out in a rash. I don't know if they are less effective but IME something does change in them.

[ElephantsNeverForgive]

IME they are absolutely fine for two-three years if they have lived in my wardrobe and kept cool.

The ones that have been to Majorca and spent hours in my black rucksack in the heat, start separating and looking miserable a bit quicker.

[LightastheBreeze]

I wouldn't throw any out, any older ones i just use here if I don't need so much protection, but want something on, seems to work OK.

I wouldn't use old stuff if I was abroad sunbathing in case it wasn't effective enough but for a bit of protection here its OK

[Purpleroxy]

I use them for about 18 months. They're usually used up by then anyway, it's rare I chuck them.

[AnonyMust]

Bean, wow. Thank you! All I needed to know.
Thank you, everyone else. Glad I'm not the only one to have been wondering!