The sunny days are having a hard time settling in everywhere in France… According to Meteo France, spring 2024 is even the 4th wettest ever recorded, with a sunshine deficit of almost 20%. And as summer looms, many wonder when the sun will finally decide to light up our days…
While waiting for the first rays to arrive: the time has come to review the basics of sun protection! As a reminder: UV exposure is the leading cause of premature skin aging and skin cancer. It is essential to protect yourself from it throughout the year, and even more so when the summer season arrives.
Sunscreen: this bad habit to absolutely ban this summer
Apply cream 30 minutes before exposure, reapply every 2 hours, focus on a high SPF, avoid times when the sun is at its strongest… If there are good habits to adopt to limit the risks, there are also bad reflexes to banish! Applying sunscreen that has already been used on your skin is one of them.
And yet, it can be very tempting! When you opened the beach bag that followed you everywhere during your last vacation, you noticed that you still had some of the product you bought last year… Why not use it to avoid waste and save money? Attention danger !
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Cosmetic products have an expiration date that must be respected.
Some people don’t know it, but like many other everyday products, many cosmetics have an expiration date. “If they have a shelf life of less than 30 months, it is indicated on the packaging ‘to be used preferably before the end…‘”, specifies the Federation of Beauty Companies (FEBEA) on its site.
Before continuing: “If, on the other hand, it exceeds 30 months, the duration during which the product is safe after opening is indicated: this is the PAO (Period After Opening). Finally, some products do not require any mention of this type, because they are single-use or cannot degrade”.
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Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Use Last Year’s Sunscreen This Summer
Sunscreens are no exception to the rule! Once opened for too long, or even expired, these products can represent a real danger to health. Already, because their ability to protect the skin from UV rays is impaired. You think you’re safe from sunburn and other burns, but that’s not the case!
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That’s not all. Some sunscreens contain ingredients that can become harmful, or even carcinogenic, over time. This is the case for octocrylene. This is why it is advisable to always rely on the markings on the pot to know when to stop using it. If you can’t find one, it is generally recommended not to use sunscreen that has been open for more than 6 months.
