How long does sun cream last

Whether you want to know when your sun cream expires or how long it lasts before you should reapply, NIVEA can help.

How long will your sun cream last?

Does sun cream go off?

How often should you reapply sunscreen

The answer is every two hours! Unless you've been swimming or towelling off in which can it's best to reapply as soon as you're done.

How long before sun cream expires

All NIVEA products have a proven unopened shelf life of at least 30 months from the date of manufacture unless they carry a specific expiry or use by date but to make sure your sun cream lasts as long as possible it's best to:

- Store your sunscreen in a cool, dark and dry place when not in use to ensure the stability of the product

- Pay close attention to the texture, odour and colour of the product.

Exposure to heat and light may, after time, lead to some instability of the basic structure of the product. Our advice would be to discard any old products that may look grainy, watery or discoloured, or if the odour has changed.

Can you use a sun protection product from last year?

NIVEA guarantee the product quality for 12 months after opening. When the product has been stored under normal conditions at room temperature and does not look or smell strange, it can be used in the next season.

Sun cream can go off but the shelf life is limited by factors such as physical instability (separation of the emulsion), changes in the perfume and the colour of the product. The widespread opinion that the SPF of sun care products decreases over time and only fresh products provide full protection is not true.

To find out what SPF means or which SPF you should use read our guides.


Protect your skin with sun lotion from NIVEA

WHAT'S THE UV INDEX IN:

With the city name we are able to locate your area and to determine the right uv index.

YOUR UV INDEX IS [uvIndex]

It’s a low uv index for [city]

With a low UV index from 0 to 2, no special sun protection is necessary. Nevertheless, you should at least use products with a sun protection factor for your day care in order to protect your skin. A sun protection factor should be chosen that is at least twice as high as the stated UV Index (e.g. UV Index 2, sunscreen with SPF 10).

YOUR UV INDEX IS [uvIndex]

It's an average uv index for [city]

With a medium UV index of 3 - 5, wearing outer clothing (shirt, T-shirt, blouse) is recommended. You should wear sunglasses and additionally protect your skin by applying sunscreen. A sun protection factor should be chosen that is at least twice as high as the stated UV Index (e.g. UV Index 5, sunscreen with SPF 10).

YOUR UV INDEX IS [uvIndex]

It's a high uv index for [city]

With a high UV index of 6 - 7, you should definitely dress your upper body. You should wear sunglasses and you should not do without headgear. In addition, the skin must be protected with a sunscreen. The SPF of sunscreen is at least twice as high as the UV Index. You should not only stay in the sun, but alternate between sun and shade.

YOUR UV INDEX IS [uvIndex]

It's a very high uv index for [city]

Avoid staying outside in the hours between 11 and 15 o'clock in the case of a very high UV index of 8 - 10. Even in the shade, the skin must be protected by long-sleeved sun-proof clothing. Long trousers are just as popular as sunglasses with UV protection and headgear with neck protection. The SPF of the sun cream that must be applied is more than 15.

YOUR UV INDEX IS [uvIndex]

It's a very high uv index for [city]

With an extremely high UV index of 11, 12 and higher, you should stay indoors during the lunch hours. Even outside this time it is advisable to seek out mainly the shade. Long trousers and long-sleeved, sun-proof outer clothing are obligatory, as are sunglasses with UV protection and a headgear with neck protection. Even in the shade, it is essential to use a sunscreen with SPF greater than 15.

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