EVEN THOUGH THE FDA DOESN’T REQUIRE AN EXPIRATION DATE on sunscreen, it’s best to toss bottles older than three years. If your sunscreen is older than a year, check that it looks and smells like it did when new and that it hasn’t separated, says Ken Gross, M.D., a surgical dermatologist and clinical professor at the University of California at San Diego. Gross also advises storing sunscreen in a cool, dry place to maximize its life. And keep in mind that newer sunscreens are more likely to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, so it may be worth it to toss old bottles and invest in some state-of-the-art sun protection. –J.T.M.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group