Avoid Last Year's Sunscreen for Peak Protection
Outdated sunscreen usage is discouraged, as its effectiveness can diminish over time. - Why it's advisable to avoid using sunscreen from last year
Got a sunscreen bottle lingering in your bathroom cabinet, ready to shield your skin from the fresh rays of spring sunshine? Think again. Old sunscreen might not provide the necessary protection.
Manifestly, sunscreen life can be determined by examining the packaging. Look for the opened jar symbol, such as "12 M," indicating a maximum lifespan of 12 months post-opening. Manufacturers only assure full efficacy within this timeframe. Improper storage conditions, like constant heat or a sun-drenched car, can spur sunscreen deterioration, reducing its efficiency.
Oxygen: Public Enemy #1 for Sunscreen
Dermatologist extraordinaire, Eckhard Breitbart, advises nabbing a fresh pack instead of recycling the old one. Speaking with "Apotheken Umschau," he elucidates: oxygen seeps in once the bottle's cracked open, causing oxidation that transforms ingredients, making it tricky to maintain its protective properties.
In a recent 2021 study by the Sorbonne and CNRS researchers, there's a catch with sunscreens containing the chemical UV filter, Octocrylene. Over time, a molecule called Benzophenone develops in the creams, potentially carcinogenic and prone to causing allergies.
Benzophenone: Hidden in Sunscreens with Octocrylene
The researchers sifted through 17 sunscreen products boasting a whopping SPF 50. Octocrylene was present in 16 of them. They subjected the fortified creams to an incubator for weeks at 40 degrees Celsius humidity of 75 percent, simulating a year of storage at room temperature. Result? Benzophenone was absent in the Octocrylene-free packs but present at 39 mg/kg in the others from the get-go. After six weeks, the concentration almost doubled to a daunting 75 mg/kg.
According to the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center, mineral UV filters like "Titanium dioxide" or "Zinc oxide" tend to be more durable, and creams can last longer. A sunscreen's ingredient list will reveal if it contains Octocrylene.
- Sunscreen
- Sunblock
- UV protection
Additional Insights:
Sunscreen is typically effective for up to three years from its manufacturing date, provided proper storage, but once opened, it can lose its effectiveness due to exposure to air, bacteria, and environmental factors. Store sunscreen in a cool, dark place to maximize its lifespan.
Octocrylene, a common chemical UV filter, is known for its photostability, maintaining effectiveness against UV rays under normal conditions. However, all sunscreen ingredients can degrade when exposed to excessive heat, sunlight, or air.
Further Reading:
- The science behind women growing chin hair as they age[6]
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Resources: Sorbonne study, Apotheken Umschau, North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center[1][2][3]
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The Commission could have also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the scientific field, considering the potential hazards of oxidation and degradation in sunscreens. Maintaining good health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise regimes, along with a proper skincare routine, might involve using fresh sunscreen products to ensure optimal UV protection.
