
This is why you shouldn’t rely on makeup as your sole source of sun protection-it’s unlikely you’d ever cake on that much foundation.) How long does sunscreen last?
Does sunscreen expire how to#
But since it can be tricky to visualize how to portion that out over different body parts, Kuritzky prefers the “modified teaspoon rule”: one teaspoon of sunscreen on each arm two teaspoons on each leg two teaspoons total on your front and back torso and one teaspoon on your face/head/neck.
Does sunscreen expire full#
To get there, dermatologists have traditionally recommended using one ounce of sunscreen (picture a shot glass) to cover your full body. To reach the full SPF advertised on a product, you have to slather it on pretty thick-2 mg per cm² thick, to be exact. Because titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are white by nature, they can-if not formulated nicely-leave a chalky cast.
Does sunscreen expire skin#
These mineral particles-which are often micronized (made small so they blend onto skin better) or nano-sized (made even smaller)-work by reflecting and scattering UV radiation. natural or mineral) filters, look for titanium dioxide or zinc oxide on the label. So how does sunscreen work? Chemical filters work by absorbing the sun’s radiation and converting it into heat also, they generally have the advantage of allowing more lightweight and invisible formulas. Although the word “chemical” has acquired a negative connotation in recent years, “all of these have been vetted and deemed safe,” says Kuritzky. In Canada, there are 17 organic (a.k.a chemical) sunscreen filters approved for use, including homosalate, ecamsule (trade-named Mexoryl SX) and avobenzone (Parsol 1789). Even if it’s not peak UVB/sunburn season, we’re exposed to UVA rays year-round, rain or shine.) Beyond that, Kuritzky recommends a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 that specifically identifies as “broad spectrum,” which means it protects against both UVB and UVA. (Ideally, consistently means literally every day. “Truly, the best sunscreen is the one you’ll use-and use consistently,” she says. If you can’t stand goopiness or care about the product texture, finish or smell more than anything, shop accordingly (to help save you time, we tested dozens to find the best facial sunscreen out there). When asked what to look for in sunscreen, Kuritzky’s to-the-point answer is: whatever you like.

If they can find an SPF 40 or 50 they like, even better.” How to choose the best sunscreen “In practice, what I recommend to my patients is the highest SPF product they like and can tolerate,” says Kuritzky. SPF isn’t the only thing that matters (see “How to choose the best sunscreen,” below), but going higher can help compensate for under-application. So is a higher SPF better? Yes, with caveats. “So knowing that, with a SPF 30, you might get an SPF 8 to 15 in real-life use.” Alexandra Kuritzky, board-certified dermatologist at Vancouver’s Pacific Derm, and a member of the Canadian Dermatology Association’s Sun Awareness Working Group. “People usually apply one-quarter to one-half of the amount of sunscreen that’s tested in a lab,” says Dr. But as we note above, the more you skimp on the amount of sunscreen you apply, the less actual protection you get. If you’re wondering, “Is SPF 15 enough?” the Canadian Dermatology Association officially recommends a minimum of SPF 30. What’s more, practically no one applies enough sunscreen to reap the advertised protection-they don’t get anywhere close to the thickness that’s tested in a lab, so beware of being lulled into a false sense of security. Confused? Remember, a product’s SPF level doesn’t tell you anything about the level of protection it provides against UVA rays, so you could be getting a ton of quiet, stealth skin damage: These rays don’t cause burns, but they do speed up signs of aging (wrinkles, leathery texture, sagging). However, using an SPF 30 doesn’t mean you’re safe basking at the beach for 10 hours straight. An SPF 30 equals 30 times that duration (10 hours). SPF 30? If your bare skin gets flush after, say, 20 minutes in the sun without any protection, using a sufficient amount of SPF 15 would theoretically prevent you from going red for 15 times that duration (five hours). So what’s the difference between SPF 15 vs. The number is determined in a standardized way in lab testing, where a specific (and generous) amount of sunscreen is applied to see how well it works. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and this number on a product reveals the level of protection you’re getting against UVB-the rays that cause sunburn. Does sunscreen expire? What is SPF? Is it safe? We enlisted the pros to help answer your burning (erm, not-burning) sun care questions. It’s crucial for protecting our skin from ultra-violet damage, yet actually using it doesn’t always feel so straight-forward.

Ask any dermatologist or beauty editor what the best anti-aging cream is and they will surely tell you one simple thing: sunscreen.
