How Long Do Tanning Lotions Last?
You might use your tanning lotion every week and go through a bottle once a month, or you might use it sporadically and store it in the back of your cupboard.
If you sound more like the latter, you might be wondering if the tanning lotion sitting in the back of your cupboard is still fine to use.
How long do tanning lotions last?
Most tanning lotions come with an expiration date on the bottle, and it is worth following. The general rule is not to use the tanning lotion after a year past the opening date. The ingredients in the tanning lotion may lose their effectiveness over time, which means the lotion will not work as well.
Like most beauty products, tanning lotion does expire, so it’s helpful to know the shelf life of tanning lotions and when they are best used by.
Does Tanning Lotion Expire?
If you look at a tanning lotion bottle, you might notice an expiration date, or at least the recommended time you can use the opened lotion before it should be thrown away.
Generally, tanning lotions last for up to a year before they begin to lose their effectiveness. The tanning lotion might not expire, but its effectiveness will begin to decline.
How you store the tanning lotion will also determine its shelf life. It is recommended to store the tanning lotion in a sealed bottle in a cool, dark environment to help it last longer.
Just keep in mind that the tanning lotion you have in the back of your cupboard will not last indefinitely, and you should check for an expiration date on the bottle to know when it should be used by!
Can You Use Tanning Lotion Which Has Expired?
Using a tanning lotion that has expired will likely cause minimal harm, except that it will be less effective in helping you tan and may not nourish and hydrate your skin as well as it would have before expiration.
An expired tanning lotion will be less likely to give you an even tan and will be less likely to give your skin extra nourishment to withstand the effects of the UV rays in the tanning bed.
One of the benefits of using a tanning lotion is that it hydrates and nourishes your skin while it is exposed to UV rays, which helps build a healthy-looking tan and prevents peeling, thereby maintaining your tan for longer.
If you use an expired lotion, you may not get the full benefits of the moisture it has to offer, and this can lead to patchy tanning and burnt skin, which can then result in peeling.
When using an indoor tanning bed, you need to provide your skin with proper protection and nourishment to not only achieve a good tan but also to make it last longer.
How Do You know If Tanning Lotion Has Expired?
It isn’t easy to tell if tanning lotion has expired, as there are no obvious signs of expiration.
It will not go bad like some other products do, and an expired lotion might seem similar to a new lotion you’ve just opened.
The best thing to do is to look for an expiration date on the tanning lotion bottle.
This is the easiest way to determine whether the tanning lotion has passed its best-by date and whether you should continue using it.
There are a few other ways to check whether the lotion has expired, but this will only be if the lotion has been left to sit for a long time.
Color
The color of the tanning lotion may change over time. This is because the lotion would be in contact with air, and over time, it might evaporate slightly, altering its color.
Consistency
The consistency of the tanning lotion might change once it has expired. The ingredients might begin to separate, such as the oils and other ingredients.
This could cause the lotion to become too watery, or it might become lumpy.
If the lotion has changed consistency, it may make it difficult to apply evenly, which can lead to a patchy tan.
Smell
The tanning lotion may lose some of its scent over time, as the fragrance or essential oils may fade once the product has expired.
If the lotion no longer has the same scent it had when you first bought it, it may be because it has started to expire and lose its effectiveness.
Tips To Store Tanning Lotion
Tanning lotion can be quite expensive, so it’s essential to store it properly to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
Here is how to properly store tanning lotion, keep it in the best condition possible, and be able to use it even when it has passed its expiration date:
Store At Room Temperature
It is crucial to store the tanning lotion at room temperature. It should be stored out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dark area.
A bathroom cupboard is ideal for this, provided it is located away from heat sources and moisture.
Keep It Sealed
Exposure to air or moisture can cause the tanning lotion to lose its effectiveness quickly, so it’s essential to keep the lid sealed tightly and ensure the bottle is not broken or dented.
A sealed tanning lotion will last much longer, and a sealed bottle will keep the lotion as effective as possible until it does expire.
Do Not Leave Tanning Lotion In Your Car
It can become a habit to leave the tanning lotion in your car, for when you pop out to the tanning salon to spend some time in the sunbed.
This does mean that you will never forget the tanning lotion at home, but you should really avoid leaving tanning lotion in the car.
The inside of your car can heat up quickly and significantly during the day, which can lead to the tanning lotion losing its effectiveness as the heat can damage some of the ingredients.
Does Self-Tanner Go Bad?
Just like tanning lotion, self-tanner does go bad. Certain ingredients in self-tanner have expiration dates.
One such ingredient is DHA, which is responsible for changing the color of your skin to develop a tan.
Once DHA expires, it loses its effectiveness, and this can lead to a patchy self-tan that does not last long at all.
Using an expired self-tanner will not yield the desired results, and you will have streaks and splotches all over that simply do not look right.
There is also a chance that the expired self-tanner will leave a strange smell on your skin, too.
To determine whether the self-tanner has expired, check the expiration date on the bottle.
Other signs include the self-tanner smelling different and having a chemical-like odor, changing color, and becoming watery or lumpy.
Like with tanning lotion, store self-tanner in a dark, cool, and dry area, and be sure to note the expiration date so you know when to use it.
Does Tanning Lotion Expire?
Tanning lotion does expire, but it doesn’t expire as quickly as some other products.
Almost all beauty products come with an expiration date on the bottle or a specific timeframe in which the product should be used, so take note of this to make the most of your tanning lotion.
You can use tanning lotion that has expired, but it might not be as effective as it was when first opened.
It may not hydrate and nourish your skin as well as it should, which could cause your skin to burn slightly more in a tanning bed and lead to peeling after tanning.
To ensure your tan is as even and beautiful as possible, and that your skin is nourished during tanning, be sure to check the expiration date on the bottle and use the tanning lotion before it expires.
Related Questions
What happens if you use an old self-tanner?
The chemicals in an expired self-tanner will not be as effective as a new self-tanner.
Your skin may not absorb the product evenly, which can lead to blemishes and patches of darker color.
The ingredients that help care for your skin might not be as effective, so your skin may be left dry after using the self-tanner.
How do you remove self-tanner?
If you have used a self-tanner that has expired and it has left your skin patchy, you may want to consider removing it.
The best way to remove self-tanner is to exfoliate your skin with a body scrub. Do so gently to avoid damaging your skin.
You could also use lemon juice or white vinegar to remove the fake tan from your skin.
Baby oil can also be applied and left on for a while before being removed along with the self-tanner.
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