Health

Mayo Clinic Minute: Sunscreen Shelf Life and Essential Facts You Should Know

Did you know sunscreen has a shelf life and can expire? Or that too much heat or cold can ruin a new bottle?   Protecting your skin from harmful sun rays will help against inflammation, burns, premature aging and, most importantly, skin cancer.  Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, has more on sunscreen shelf life and other […]

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Sunscreen has a shelf life and other facts to know appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mayo Clinic Minute: Sunscreen Shelf Life and Essential Facts You Should Know

Did you know that sunscreen has a shelf life and can expire? Additionally, exposure to extreme heat or cold can ruin a new bottle of sunscreen.

Protecting your skin from harmful sun rays is crucial for preventing inflammation, burns, premature aging, and most importantly, skin cancer.

Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, provides insights on sunscreen shelf life and other important facts to consider when heading out into the sun.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Sunscreen has a shelf life and can expire. Watch the video.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1:03) is available for download at the end of this post. Please credit “Mayo Clinic News Network.” Read the script.

You might think a dermatologist would advise against sun exposure altogether.

“There’s nothing wrong with being outside in the sun,” says Dr. Davis.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a carcinogen, which is where sunscreen comes in handy.

“Sunscreen can act as a barrier to help keep your skin safe from carcinogens,” Dr. Davis explains.

Here are some key facts about sunscreen to keep in mind:

Sunscreen can expire, which affects both the active ingredient and the preservative.
Sunscreen is sensitive to extreme temperatures. Keep it out of direct sunlight and avoid letting it freeze during winter storage.
People of color need to wear sunscreen.

In summary, everyone over the age of 6 months needs sunscreen — including babies.

Mayo Clinic Minute: Sunscreen Shelf Life and Essential Facts You Should Know

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Read More