Tanning lotions are becoming more popular as summer approaches. They allow you to bronze your skin without having to worry about sun tanning.
Many people will find their old tanning bottles that have been sitting in drawers all year.
What happens if you use expired self-tanners? How can you tell if the lotion is expired?
This blog may be of interest to you if you have the same question. You will find the answers you need on the shelf-life of tanners and how to recognize out-of date lotion.
DOES tanning lotion expire?
Tanner lotions, just like any other beauty product, have a shelf-life. Tanner lotions contain multiple chemicals and ingredients that will break down with time.
This process can vary depending on the packaging format and the quality inside. There are four different packaging formats available for tanning products.
- Mousse: less likely to expire because of lower air exposure
- Jars that expire the fastest
- Jar with pump. If the jar has a pump it can extend the life of the product. A jar with pump will not leak air because it is airtight.
- Towelettes are convenient but dry quickly when exposed.
HOW LONG DOES TANNING LOCTION LAST?
OPEN
Most tanning lotions are relatively long-lasting and can be used up before the expiration date.
You can use tanning lotions for as long as 12 months from the time you unseal the protective cap.
After the expiration date, the product gradually loses its functionality until it becomes unusable.
This is because the DHA or dihydroxyacetone (the most important ingredient in self-tanner) will expire faster if the cream inside is exposed to air.
The water in the liquid will gradually evaporate leaving the DHA behind, which will become denser, more concentrated and cause discoloration and a decrease in tan.
UNOPENED
Normaly, unopened tanning lotions can retain their effectiveness for up to three years. You can store your product for future use if it is still unopened and sealed properly.
Remember that the breakdown process is still happening inside the bottle but at a very slow pace. Self-tanners are a mixture of chemicals and other substances, just like many other cosmetics. After a while, these ingredients will separate out and lose their efficacy.
WHAT AFFECTS TANNING LOCATION’S LIFESPAN?
Preservatives are other chemicals that are mixed with DHA in self-tanners. These chemicals are responsible for maintaining the shelf-life of the product.
Preservatives begin to expire when the ointment is exposed to air. DHA and other ingredients won’t expire until the preservatives have expired, because they will no longer be able to protect them.
The amount of preservatives in tanning lotion will determine how long it lasts.
CAN i use expired tanning lotion?
is usually not a serious problem when using expired lotion. The tanning lotion that is expired will not perform as expected and you won’t get the results you want.
The DHA is no longer active and the color pigments are lost, causing the texture of the cream to be liquid or lumpy. The product may not blend well, resulting in an uneven or paler tan. On several occasions it may cause mild reactions, irritation or mild rashes to your skin.
Tanners can also nourish and moisturize the skin when exposed to sunlight. It will no longer provide moisture for your skin when it expires.
If your tanning cream contains sunscreen ingredients you should replace it immediately after it expires. The sunscreen ingredients in a product will not protect your skin if it is beyond its expiration date.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A TANNING LOCATION IS EXPIRED
You can tell if your tanning lotion is expired by using a few simple methods. You can choose the most convenient method for you by looking at all of them. Find out by scrolling down.
CHECKING EXPIRATION DATES
Checking the expiry date is the best way to accurately determine how long your self-tanner will last. Knowing the expiration date of tanning lotion can be useful.
The expiration date is often printed on bottles of many bronzing products. You may have to turn the bottle to see it. It can be found on the lid, the side, the label or even the bottom of the container.
The expiration date may be written as “best used by …”,” or simply as a symbol and a number, such as “12M”, “24M”, or even just a simple symbol followed by a numerical value. This means that the lotion will last for 12 months or 24 after it is opened.
You may need to use other methods if the expiration date is not printed on a bottle.
COLOR
Visual testing is one way to test your self-tanner. You can tell if your bronzer has reached its expiration date if you see a greenish tint.
DHA must be combined with the pigments responsible for the tan color of skin in order to perform its function. When these colorants are degraded by heat or air exposure, they will turn green.
There are also tanning lotions that do not contain bronzer, and they will become darker or lighter as the date approaches. Consider switching to a different bottle if there are any strange discolorations.
CONSISTENCY
Examining the consistency is another way to determine if a product has become stale.
Most tanning products are made from oils, water and other ingredients. After a few months, the ingredients start to separate. This will affect your tanner’s consistency.
If you notice that the lotion is becoming thick, lumpy or liquidy you may want to switch to a brand new bottle.
Please be careful when using this method. This can mean that the cream is separated into layers. A good shake may be enough to restore the cream back to its original form.
SMELL
A scent test is another way to differentiate. It can be difficult to use this method because DHA has a strong smell.
If you smell anything other than DHA in your self-tanner, that could mean it has gone past its shelf life.
PATCH TEST
Imagine you still have trouble determining the suitability of your tanning products after checking their color, consistency and smell. You can then resort to the final method, which is a patch-test.
Apply lotion to a small area of skin, and then observe it patiently. If the color of the tan changes, it’s time to discard the product. It is still safe to use.
KEEPING TANNING LOCATION FOR A LONGER TIME
You should know that tanning lotions will expire over time. There are some things you can do to prolong the life of this lotion.
DO
- Store tanning lotions at room temperature. The ideal temperature for tanning lotions is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 21 degrees Celsius).
- Avoid sun exposure: The heat and UV rays of the sun can damage your tanner.
- Close your lid after use: Closing the lid will prevent bacteria and air from contaminating the tanning cream, accelerating its decomposition.
- Keep an eye on expiry dates. To achieve the desired results, you should finish your self-tanner bottle before it expires.
DON’T
- Don’t leave in the car: The temperature inside your vehicle can be very high at certain times of the day. This can cause your tanner to melt.
- Open: If you leave it out in the sun and air, this can cause damage. Not to mention, children may find it and try to eat them. This can be dangerous.
- Do not store in humid and moist places. The chemical content of the lotion may react with water in the atmosphere and ruin the lotion. Humid places can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, which makes your lotion susceptible.
FAQS
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ACCIDENTALLY USE EXPIRED TANNING LOCATION?
You shouldn’t worry if you accidentally use expired tanning products, since they should not have any harmful health effects.
Some expired self-tanners contain toxic ingredients that can cause irritation to the skin when applied. If this happens, wash the irritated area with water immediately and discard the expired product.
IS THERE A PROBLEM STORING MY TANNING LOADS IN THE REFRIGERATOR?
The fridge is a moist environment that will reduce the shelf-life of your tanning lotion.
The temperature of your tanning product will also be affected by the constant re-entering and re-exiting of the refrigerator.
Does tanning lotion work after expiration?
You will notice a drastic decrease in the effectiveness, texture and smell of an old tanner. It may also result in uneven or lighter tanning.
CAN EXPIRED TANNER LOTION DAMAGE YOUR SKIN?
The breakdown of the ingredients in expired tanning lotion may increase the risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions. It can also lead to bacterial growth that can cause infections.
What are the alternatives to expired tanning lotion?
You can replace expired tanning products with sunless tanners or bronzing powders.
FINAL CONCLUSIONS
Yes, tanning lotions do expire. After opening, they have a shelf life of about twelve months.
It’s best to buy new tanners instead of using outdated ones. They are not toxic to the skin but can be less effective.
