AIBU to not trust the dates on sunscreen?

[M0reGinPlease]

That's stupid isn't it?

I bought new bottles for the DCs last summer, wrote the date I bought it on the bottle and it says it's good for 18 months after opening it. So I'm daft for considering chucking it and buying fresh aren't I? It's Boots kids factor 50, so a decent brand.

I thought sunscreen went off quite quickly? I always use all of ours so buy fresh every summer anyway.

If it says good for 18 months after opening then it will be good for 18 months after opening. There will have been a lot of testing on it to this date and beyond at several temperatures and they will have proved that the active ingredient is still there.

I'm Scottish, so unless I go abroad, I use sunscreen rarely, and I reckon it lasts and remains effective for longer than the use-by date suggests. I definitely wouldn't chuck it out within the use-by period.

I buy new every year and chuck anything after a few months if it hasn't been used. I buy Aldi sunscreen. It's about £3 and I've never had any problems with it. Used it abroad in temperatures of 30+.

It will have been tested within an inch of its life (DH works in skincare) and the 18 months recommendation will include a good safety margin, it’ll be fine.

Thanks for talking me down! I know it'll be fine really and I never even check with my own sunscreen but DD is so fair... anyway like I said I was sensible and wrote the date on that I bought it so it should be fine for this summer. It'll probably rain tomorrow haha!

I only use for 12 mo the bit it goes through lots of testing so if it says 18moths then you’ve got 18 months (probably actually a bit longer)

I wouldn't recommend this, but my mum keeps an array on sunscreens under her bed in a drawer and some of them are so old it's unbelievable! She's used ones that are decades old and they still worked amazingly. I'm sure within 18 months would be Ok. You've reminded me to check my P20 (love that stuff!). Have NEVER burnt with it, it's so effective.

Yes Flowers, P20 is amazing for adults. Usually only need to apply once as well.

Moreginplease wondering why you think that P20 is good for adults? Just genuinely interested as I have found it to be brilliant for DC- have a missed a reason as to why it's only for adults?

Moreginplease wondering why you think that P20 is good for adults? Just genuinely interested as I have found it to be brilliant for DC- have a missed a reason as to why it's only for adults?

because it is sun protection factor 20- whilst NHS says 15 or above lots of parents would use 30+ ?

I'm sure I have bought P20 in a factor 50. That sounds a bit odd with its name being P'20' but I'm sure I have......

Yeah I think you can buy it in different factors it's just always called P20. Currently quite cheap in Savers btw.

I didn't mean you can't use it on children, I just don't as I've got very little ones with eczema so it's kids factor 50 hypoallergenic all the way for us.

I could be completely wrong, but I always though the date was because of the risk of bacterial growth, same reason all liquid toiletries and cosmetics shouldn't be kept too long once opened and you get the pot symbol with a number on it to tell you how many months after opening before you are supposed to chuck them... so if you're concerned, do what you do with everything else.

The thing which blocks the nasty sun rays is just oil, so I didn't think the protective performance of sunscreen could be affected over time.

I'm currently using sunscreen that is about 3 or 4 years old and it is still absolutely fine as in it looks right and I don't burn even when outside all day in the Canaries at all times of year. I bought a few bottles in the end of season sales from Aldi and Asda for a pound each and am still using it up.

OP your sunscreen will be totally fine for this summer and probably next too.