Every year, when you pull out your summer gear, buy a new bottle of sunscreen. It’s a ten-dollar investment that saves you from looking like a boiled shrimp. Pro tip: write the date you opened it on the bottle with a marker. If you can’t read your own handwriting, the lotion is probably older than your last relationship—toss it.
One more weird fact: mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) last longer than chemical ones because they don’t degrade as fast. But even those can go bad if they turn into a chunky paste. So smell it, shake it, respect it. If in doubt, throw it out—and don’t let FOMO (Fear of Missing Out on a tan) give you AIM (Actual Injury from Melanoma).
Now go forth, slather on fresh, non-funky lotion, and enjoy that golden hour. Your skin will thank you. And you’ll save money on aloe vera. Because burnt, peeling skin is never a good look—unless you’re auditioning for a zombie movie.
