A simple guide to sunscreen

While many of us are guilty of keeping last year’s stash of sunscreen it turns out that it’s not necessarily still safe to use, but what else are we getting wrong when it comes to sun protection?

Does sun cream expire? Just like any other beauty product, Dr Mervyn Patterson from Woodford Medical told Cosmopolitan that most sun creams do expire and, because of this, they should come with an expiry date. However, if the date was stamped on the outer packaging then, as a rule of thumb, most lotions will last for around 12 months.

How to tell if it’s out of date? If you can’t remember exactly when you purchased the sun cream there are luckily some other ways to tell if it’s still in date. Here, you should examine the formula to see if there has been a change in texture or smell. If it looks or smells different from when you irst bought it then chances are it should be discarded.

What happens if you use expired sun cream? If you have used a formula that is out of date then it is likely to be ineffective and, as a result, could lead to sunburn. Similarly, there’s a greater risk that the product react with your skin and cause irritation.

How should you store it? The longevity of a sun cream depends largely on how it is stored so if you want to get the most out of yours make sure it’s stored somewhere shaded, cool and dry. You should avoid any contact with direct sunlight as this can change the formula of the product. When should you apply sun cream?

According to the NHS, sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears 30 minutes before you go out in the sun.