With summer already upon us, many of us (to include myself) find ourselves asking questions about our Sunscreen. I think it goes something like this: we head to the bathroom to dig out the bottle of sunscreen that we haven't really used much of since last summer. After moving things around a bit, we spot the bottle we purchased sometime last summer after using up the one we found stashed in the cabinet at this time last year. We turn the bottle over looking to see if there is anything printed on the bottle regarding expiration date. Is it still good? How can I tell? What are the "rules" about sunscreen expiration. Use it or trash it? That is the question!
Next, I did what most of us do when we have no idea about such things. I headed to the web to see if I could find any reputable information. I found it alright! Enough, in fact, that it left my head swimming with data. Who knew there could be so much information published about sunscreen and yet....here I go adding to the pile. There are a few important things I learned that I thought were important enough to share with others.
It is my hope that sharing what I learned with you will help you avoid a sunburn while enjoying summer.
1. Does Sunscreen expire?
Answer: YES! Sunscreens are designed to remain at original strength for up to three years. This means that you can use leftover sunscreen from one year to the next. (Hooray, I can use the bottle I have left from last year!)
Tip: Some sunscreens have a printed expiration date on the bottle. (The expiration date is the date that indicates when a product is no longer effective.)
Make a habit of looking for the expiration date on any new bottle of sunscreen that you purchase. If no expiration date can be found, write the date purchased on the outside of the bottle for reference later.
(Remember, if you store remaining lotion until next year, you will likely be asking yourself this same question again.)
2. When should I discard sunscreen?
Answer: Discard sunscreen that is more than 3 years old, has been exposed to high temperatures or has obvious changes in color or consistency.
Let's be honest, if we are applying sunscreen as often as we should be, there probably shouldn't be any sunscreen that ever gets stored until the next summer. A bottle of sunscreen shouldn't last from one year to the next. We should be using it often, and not just in summer. Sunscreen should be used generously and frequently.
3. How much sunscreen should be applied at a time, generally speaking?
Answer: Generally, a liberal application is 1 ounce (30 milliliters) — the amount in a shot glass — to cover all exposed parts of the body. If you have a 4-ounce (118-milliliter) bottle, you'll use about one-fourth of it during one application.
To maximize protection, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Apply sunscreen generously 20 to 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply about every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating. Be sure to rub the sunscreen in well.
4. How often should I reapply sunscreen?
Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours—sooner if you swim or exercise because water, sweat, and clothing can remove it from the skin. Don’t skimp! You should use at least an ounce with every application, so in a full day at the beach you’d go through half of an eight ounce bottle.
5. What does SPF mean? Does a higher SPF mean better sun protection?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and refers to the theoretical amount of time you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned.
For example, an SPF of 15 would allow you to stay in the sun 15 times longer than you could without protection. So, if your skin starts to redden in 20 minutes without sun block, applying a product with SPF15 increases that time by a factor of 15, meaning you could stay in the sun for 300 minutes. In addition, a higher SPF blocks out more rays—a product with an SPF of 15 will filter out approximately 93% of UVB rays; SPF 30 filters out about 97%.
***Important things to remember about sunscreen:
*Remember to apply sunscreen initially 30 minutes before going outside and then frequently there after!
*Remember, you still need sunscreen on cloudy days!
*Remember to apply sunscreen while participating in sports activities.
*Sunscreen can be easily washed off by exposure to water or sweat, which can leave parts of your skin vulnerable to UV rays. Applying your sun protection unevenly or not reapplying sunscreen often enough can also reduce its effectiveness. Finally, certain medications—such as antibiotics or products with retinol—can make your skin more sensitive to the effects of sunlight.
*Remember to apply sunscreen in during winter exposure.
*Special sunscreen products can be purchased for use on face and lips!
*Be extra careful in the sun if you have fair skin or if there is a history of skin cancer in your family. (This may mean that you could be at higher risk for skin cancer than others.)
**Certain medications can make your skin more sensitive to the effects of sunlight on your body.
(Medications like antibiotics or products with retinol might put you at risk. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if the medications you take cause sun sensitivity.)
**SPF only applies to UVB rays. There is no SPF equivalent for UVA.
You can look for additional ingredients in your sunscreen to protect you from UVA—such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—but there’s no standard measurement for how long these ingredients will keep you protected. Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB. Look for products containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because they protect against the full spectrum of UVA rays.
Good Ideas:
*Sun protective clothing
You might also consider purchasing special sun-protective clothing. A relatively new rating for sun protective textiles is UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor. UPF blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
I was surprised to find all the readily available styles available in this line of clothing.
*Wear a hat to help protect your face from burn
*Try using laundry detergent with sun guard included.
Special laundry detergents such as Rit Sun guard (sunguardsunprotection.com) can increase the UPF of most clothing for about 20 washings. Keep in mind that no matter what you’re wearing, all fabrics block less UV light when they’re stretched or wet.
*What should I consider when choosing regular clothing from my closet if I don't have any UPF clothing?
Choose your clothes wisely before you go out in the sun. Dark clothing can block nearly all UV radiation and tightly woven fabrics are more protective than looser weaves. If you’re wondering how well your clothing will protect you, just hold it up to the sun. If you can see light passing through it, UV rays can get through, too.
*My last tip is to keep an eye on your skin: Look for new moles or changes in old moles and report any concerns to your health care provider.
Visit your dermatologist for a head to toe skin examination at least annually, even if you don't see any suspicious areas. If you see skin changes or suspicious areas, I encourage you to visit your health care provider immediately.
