How Long Does Sunscreen Last In the Bottle & On the Skin?

There are many questions that get asked about sunscreen, such as “Which ones offer broad spectrum protection?” or “How do I wear it with makeup?” Another is “How long does sunscreen last?” – which can be answered in a couple of ways. Firstly, you could answer the question with regard to how long it lasts stored in your kitchen drawer i.e. its expiry date.

Secondly, you could also answer it in relation to how long it provides UV protection against the sun. Whichever way round you’re approaching the question, you’ll get the answer you’re looking for in this article, as we’ll be giving you both answers!

Question 1 – How Long Does Sunscreen Last In Your Kitchen Cupboard?

As is the case with most types of skincare products, sunscreen doesn’t last forever. It has a shelf life with an expiry date that’s usually printed on the bottle. So, in this case, the question, “How long does sunscreen last?” has an answer of around three years. 

That said, there are a few things that can shorten its lifespan, such as:

• Leaving the product in a hot car or in direct sunlight for a prolonged period
• Contaminating the sunscreen with sand/other products
• Leaving the bottle open between uses

Your sunscreen can expire before its stated expiration date and when it does, it’s not guaranteed to protect you in the way the manufacturer designed it to. That puts you at risk of sunburn, so if the consistency doesn’t look right or it has a funny smell to it, don’t rely on it for sun protection!

Question 2 – How Long Does Sunscreen Protection Last?

While sunscreen may last years in the bottle, it’s a different story once applied to your skin. Sunscreen doesn’t provide all-day protection like some people think, which means it needs to be regularly applied to remain effective. 

Under ideal conditions, sunscreen lasts about two hours on your skin. Beyond this, its ability to shield you from UV rays diminishes, which is why application every two hours is recommended for the time you’re outside. 

Again, this rule isn’t hard and fast, as if your skin gets wet (through sweating or swimming), the protection your sunscreen offers will get washed away. In these cases, you should reapply straight away or your skin is not safe. There are water-resistant sunscreens that continue to offer sun protection when the skin gets wet, but this is for a maximum of 80 minutes (depending on the product) – after which you’ll again need to reapply. 

How Long Does Sunscreen Last? Three Years, 2 Hours Or Less!

So, as we’ve seen, there are a couple of ways to answer the question in the title: 3 years if you’re talking about shelf-life and two hours when discussing application. Another takeaway from reading this article is that there are other factors to consider that will change these answers. 

As such, you should store the product in a cool place, always check your sunscreen’s expiration date and consistency and avoid using it if you have any doubts as to its condition. Also, when using the product, stick to the 2 hour rule unless you get wet – then reapply immediately if you’re not wearing a water-resistant sunscreen. Even if you are, be sure to reapply after a maximum of 80 minutes.