I used to be so reckless with sunscreen. Before my mid 20s, I only used it at the beach (read: never. Going to the beach is my idea of hell – I know, weirdo). The few times I was dragged there, I would begrudgingly put sunscreen on, and then leave the bottle lying wherever. In the car, on the sand under the scorching sun, on my bed… Who cared?
Well, I wish I did care. The way you store sunscreen matters. Do it wrong, and it loses all its effectiveness. The worst part is that you often don’t realise there’s something wrong with it until you get a bad sunburn. Ouch!
And here’s the worst part: once it’s degraded, there’s no going back. You can’t just shake the bottle or cool it down and hope it’ll work again. Sunscreen isn’t a phone. It doesn’t bounce back after overheating. The UV filters inside break down, and once they’re broken, that SPF number on the label becomes meaningless. So, how to store your sunscreen so it doesn’t go bad on you?
3 Things To Keep Your Sunscreen Away From
You should always keep your sunscreen away from:
- Direct sunlight
- Heat
- Humidity
All these things degrade and weaken sunscreen until it becomes completely useless. Why does this happen? Because sunscreen formulas rely on very specific chemical structures to work. Ingredients like avobenzone or oxybenzone (in chemical sunscreens) and zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (in mineral ones) can degrade under heat or UV exposure, especially when suspended in unstable emulsions. Once that structure falls apart, so does your protection. So, that rules out most of your fave storage places…
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Where Not To Store Sunscreen:
1. Don’t Store Sunscreen In The Bathroom
I used to keep all my skincare products in the bathroom, because it’s SO convenient. Too bad it’s deadly for all your lotions and potions (sunscreen included). Here’s the deal: the temperature in the bathroom changes all the time. Think about all those warm showers you’re taking. They make the temperature rise up, and then it goes back down, and then back up again.
All that warmth and humidity can make your fave products turn mouldy and go bad sooner. Not to mention, mold loves moisture. And no one wants to be rubbing mold spores onto their face with what’s supposed to be a protective layer. Even if your sunscreen looks fine, microscopic growth or chemical breakdown could be happening without any visible signs.
2. Don’t Store Sunscreen In The Car
It’s convenient to store your sunscreen in the car, isn’t it? That way, you have it with you everywhere you go. But, if it’s a hot day and you park your car under direct sunlight, you’re pretty much storing your sunscreen into an oven.
If the day is really, really hot, the car will turn into an oven regardless of where you park it. Do bring your sunscreen with you, but be careful not to “cook” it, or you’ll have to throw it away!
For context: car interiors can easily reach 50-70°C (122-158°F) in summer. That’s hotter than most skincare products are designed to tolerate. Some formulas can separate, emulsions can curdle, and actives can completely denature. If your sunscreen smells funky, has changed texture, or looks separated? Toss it.
3. Don’t Store Sunscreen Near A Window
I used to let my sunscreen lie around wherever, including my bed and my desk, which were often under direct sunlight. Basically, they were the hottest spots in the house. Not smart, Gio!
Of course, this isn’t as bad as storing sunscreen in the car as the temperature won’t rise as much. But, if you want your sunscreen to work its best and last that little bit longer, avoid any place that’s under direct sunlight.
One more thing: sunlight not only heats up the bottle, but UV rays can also penetrate packaging (especially clear or lightly tinted ones) and degrade the formula inside. Unless your sunscreen comes in an opaque, UV-blocking bottle, it’s better off in a drawer.
Where Should You Store Sunscreen?
Always store your sunscreen somewhere cool, dark and dry. I keep mine in a drawer in my bedroom. It fits the bill well, especially in London, when the weather rarely gets that hot.
Still, I always put a bag of silica gels in there, just to keep the drawer dry. Silica gels are great at absorbing the excess moisture caused by humidity that would make your sunscreen (and everything else) go bad faster.
If you travel with sunscreen, consider using an insulated pouch or a cooler bag to prevent exposure to heat. A travel-friendly sunscreen stick or mini-size tube is easier to stash in a bag without leaving it in the sun.
And always, always check the expiration date. Even if stored perfectly, sunscreen only lasts so long. A good rule of thumb? Replace it every 12 months, and sooner if it’s been sitting in heat or humidity.
What Happens If You Use Expired Sunscreen?
Basically? You’re rolling the dice with your face. The SPF number might still be printed on the bottle, but the protection? Gone. You’re out here thinking you’re covered, meanwhile your skin is roasting like a chicken. Hello, sunburn.
And it’s not just the burn. Long-term? We’re talking wrinkles, pigmentation, even skin cancer risks creeping up because your sunscreen just gave up halfway through your day. Oh, and if the formula’s gone weird? Get ready for fun little surprises like breakouts, stinging, or a rash. Cute.
How To Tell If Your Sunscreen’s Gone Bad
Here’s the vibe check:
- Looks separated, gloopy, watery, or just… off?
- Smells funky, like sour milk or a high school chemistry lab?
- Color looks darker or yellow-ish?
- Doesn’t blend right or leaves a weird film on your skin?
Toss it. Don’t overthink it. If something feels off, it probably is off. Sunscreen’s not the place to be sentimental.
Related: When Do Skincare Products Expire?
The Bottom Line
Forget about bathrooms and cars. Your sunscreen is only as good as where you store it. You can buy the best formula on the market, but if it’s been baking on your dashboard or sweating it out in your shower, it won’t protect you. Period. Treat your sunscreen like the high-performance product it is: store it properly, replace it regularly, and your skin will thank you in ten years.
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