Sunscreen (expired)???

July 10, 2022, 02:05 PM

old rugged cross

Good grief, seems like every container is expired. What gives. Is it truly useless when expired. Can some one with some chemistry knowledge enlighten about this. Could this be some kind of conspiracy?

Just kidding.

July 10, 2022, 02:07 PM

ZSMICHAEL

Good for three years after date of purchase. Not effective after that.

July 10, 2022, 02:09 PM

irreverent

I’ve had it go bad more quickly, which ticked me off (and burnt me). I don’t think zinc oxide ever goes bad, though..

July 10, 2022, 02:42 PM

kkina

The FDA requires sunscreen to be effective for at least 3 years. The active ingredients of chemical sunscreens oxidize with time even without direct exposure to sunlight; mineral-based screens like zinc oxide also degrade, unfortunately.

I wouldn't think that the stuff just suddenly goes dead right at expiration time (unlike the CR123s in your Surefire). Probably a more gradual process.

July 10, 2022, 02:44 PM

Flash-LB

I pretty much ignore expiration dates since I saw some on honey.

They found honey that was still good in King Tutankhamun's tomb.

July 10, 2022, 02:44 PM

iron chef

I would use it w/o giving it a second thought. What's the worst that could happen? You get a little burned?

If you're worried about getting burned, re-apply it a little more frequently than usual. If you're getting burned, you should be able to tell.

July 10, 2022, 04:40 PM

drill sgt

Short time expired probably not a problem depending on the product involved..... Long term expired could be a different story...... drill sgt.

July 10, 2022, 08:52 PM

Rey HRH

I don't know about sunscreens but I found some deodorant sticks I bought at Costco several years back.

I started using it but after several times trying and confirming, it was burning my underarms. It was painful and skin started peeling off. When I figured it was the expired deodorants, I chucked them.

"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.

July 11, 2022, 06:53 AM

TBH

I try to stay in the shade! Haven’t used sunscreen this year!just saying…

July 11, 2022, 08:09 AM

ZSMICHAEL

quote:
I would use it w/o giving it a second thought. What's the worst that could happen? You get a little burned?

^^^^^^^^^
Really? How about skin cancer over time, premature aging and thinning of the skin.

July 11, 2022, 08:26 AM

Gustofer

quote:
Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
quote:
I would use it w/o giving it a second thought. What's the worst that could happen? You get a little burned?

^^^^^^^^^
Really? How about skin cancer over time, premature aging and thinning of the skin.

One could argue that you're more likely to develop various forms of cancer, including melanoma, from slathering on the endocrine disrupting chemicals in sunscreen than you are from a tan. Melanoma diagnoses have skyrocketed in the past 50-60 years and it ain't because of global warming. Put on a shirt and/or a hat if concerned. Enjoy the sunshine and put your vitamin D supplement back in the medicine cabinet.

________________________________________________________
It is long past time for a Convention of States. The Founding Fathers gave us this tool to fix an out of control government and we need to use it.

July 11, 2022, 08:47 AM

ZSMICHAEL

^^^^^^^^^^^^
I beg to differ. Ask your dermatologist. Sure a long sleeve thick shirt and hat will help but not enough.

July 11, 2022, 09:04 AM

Gustofer

quote:
Ask your dermatologist.

I have. His response was barrier protection.

Melanoma is no joke, to be sure, but neither is screwing with your body's physiology in ways not yet fully understood. I'll take my chances the same way people have done since there were people, sunshine, and negligible melanoma rates.