Can I use sunscreen from last year?

Check the PAO date first. If it is within the period after opening and looks, smells and feels normal, it is fine. If it is past 3 years from manufacture, replace it — the UV filters have likely degraded.

Does Sunscreen Expire? PAO, Expiry Dates & How to Tell

Does Sunscreen Expire?

Yes. Sunscreen has a shelf life of about 3 years from manufacture. After that, the UV filters break down and the product may no longer provide the SPF protection printed on the bottle.

Using expired sunscreen puts you at real risk of sunburn — and worse, of skin damage you cannot feel until it is too late. If your sunscreen is past its date, replace it.

What Does the PAO Symbol Mean?

The PAO (Period After Opening) symbol is a small open-jar icon with a number and an "M" — for example 12M. It tells you how many months the product stays good after you open it:

12M: 12 months after opening
6M: 6 months after opening

Start counting from the day you first open the bottle, not from the purchase date.

How to Tell If Sunscreen Has Gone Bad

Separation: water and lotion no longer mix, even after shaking.
Smell: a rancid, chemical or "off" odour.
Texture: grainy, lumpy or watery consistency.
Colour: noticeably darker or yellowed.

How to Make Sunscreen Last Longer

Keep sunscreen away from direct sunlight and heat — a hot car glovebox ruins it fast. Store it at room temperature or cooler, and close the cap tightly between uses.