How to Use Leftover Sunscreen

Applying SPF protection before sun exposure is essential for our health. But what to do when, as often happens, it expires? How to use leftover and expired sunscreens It allows us to avoid wasting products and money. In fact, many of us, when dusting off our swimsuits and beach towels, also dig out a few packs.

A new summer season is about to begin, and you already know you won't be using the old sunscreens you've stored away in your summer wardrobe? You can reuse them for something other than their original purpose. This is also because we know that, once opened, sunscreen lasts 6 to 12 months, depending on what's written on the packaging. (I unopened sunshades, in the absence of expiry dates written on the packaging, they last approximately 2 years).

Being in all respects moisturizing creams, even though they are enriched with certain substances capable of blocking UVA rays, they can still be used for other purposes. Generally speaking, in the cosmetics and beauty field, but also for common household cleaning purposes. It is also important to know that each package bears a Expiration date which, more than ever, must be taken into consideration. After this period, it's not recommended to use it. But don't throw it away; you can always use it on other occasions, where it may prove more useful than you imagine.

Among the possible use of expired sunscreens there are the following: take note!

Index of topics

Moisturizing cream

Using sunscreen as a moisturizer It's the simplest and most common choice, but also the most effective. Avoid using it as a night cream, however: remove it before bed. Given its high hydrating power, you can apply it to areas of the body that tend to be drier or more chapped.

Foot scrub

Don't underestimate it as a foundation for one scrub For feet. Pour it into a small container and add coarse salt or brown sugar along with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Mix and apply to your feet, paying particular attention to your heels. Massage in circular motions and rinse well.

Cuticle softener

If you are in the habit of doing your manicure at home, you can use the sunscreen on duty for soften the cuticlesAfter removing the polish, massage it into the edges of your nails and leave it on for about 10 minutes to allow it to work properly. Then wash your hands and proceed.

Skin cleansing

As well as the cleanserSunscreens can also be effective for cleaning bags, belts, and even sofas made of this material. Simply dip a cotton ball in a small amount of sunscreen and gently rub it over the item you want to clean. You'll gradually notice the amount of dirt that settles on it.

Cleansing

- sun oils, however, given their particular oil-based formulation, they can be useful for remove make-up from the skinThe oil makes makeup removal easier and makes cleansing your face much quicker and easier. Try it and believe it.

Hair pack

Many hair packs Homemade treatments use common ingredients like eggs, yogurt, or oils. You can combine them with expired sunscreen, mix well, and apply to your entire head of hair for anywhere from thirty minutes to overnight.

Metal polish

Use it for polish the metalSimply pour a small amount onto a clean cloth, then rub it onto the object in need until it's shiny again. If the black stains caused by oxidation are particularly stubborn, persist, repeating the process several times.

Ink stains

Another useful use of expired sunscreens is to use them for remove ink stains or paint from your skin. When you write down your appointments in your planner, or when your children color, you might get stains. A little cream makes removing these marks even easier.

Wooden furniture care

Expired sunscreen oil is useful for nourishing, polishing and protecting the wooden furnitureIt keeps wood hydrated, prevents cracking, revives color, and creates a barrier against dust and moisture. Apply with a soft cloth and polish.

Cleaning tennis shoes

Finally, you can use leftovers of expired sunscreen to clean tennis shoes White leather or faux leather. Apply a small amount to a cloth, gently rub the soiled areas, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, remove the excess. Avoid applying it to absorbent fabrics, however, to avoid streaks.

What happens if you use expired sunscreen?

Before you find out What happens if you use expired sunscreen?, let's delve deeper why sunscreens expireThis happens because the active ingredients that protect from the sun deteriorate over time. Although the physical blockers in mineral SPFs—namely, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—last longer than chemical filters, a sunscreen's expiration date also takes into account the other ingredients used in its formulation.

So, what happens if you use expired sunscreen? Since it no longer provides the same level of protection, exposing ourselves to the sun's rays despite its application could lead to... sunburn or, at best, erythema. It's best not to risk it if you care about your well-being.

How to dispose of expired sunscreen

They are commercially available in plastic tubes or metal spray cans. To understand where they throw themselves, just read the symbols on the packaging: in most cases they should be thrown in the collection plastic. Metal cans, on the other hand, go in the same container as cans.

But what to do with the products themselves, where to throw away expired sunscreensSince the sunscreens they contain often contain ingredients that are potentially harmful to the environment, it's best to throw them in the unsorted waste bin.

How to Use Expired or Leftover Sunscreen: 10 Ideas