Does indoor tanning lotion expire?

Does an indoor tanning lotion expire? Yes, an indoor tanning lotion can expire, and most of them do. Many tanning products have active ingredients that can go wrong, especially if you don’t store your tanning lotion properly. Proper care is essential to extend the shelf life of your tanning care products, whether it’s designer skin, devoted creations, or any other top beauty products.

Many indoor tanning lotions have expiration dates clearly marked on the bottle. While that may be the best way to determine if your indoor tanning body lotion has expired, there are other ways to tell if it’s still good. If you are using a Bronzer, Accelerator, or Tingle, it’s important to check for expiration as their effectiveness can degrade over time due to UV exposure. Proper skincare is vital to maintaining your skin’s glow.

Indoor tanning lotion does not have any special ingredients that will go bad or spoil, like food items, even after long-term use. Keep reading if you want to find out how to store a tanning lotion and the signs of expired ones. UV rays can also affect the formula of your tanning lotions, especially those with DHA. Ensure proper packaging and proper storage to avoid bacterial growth in your tanning skincare products.

Signs of expired indoor tanning lotion

Usually, the shelf life for most indoor tanning products is about a year, so you can check the manufacturer’s date on the bottle to see if it has expired.

If you notice that the color has changed or if there is any discoloration, it is best to throw it out. If you don’t see a date on the bottle, another way to tell if your indoor tanning lotion has expired is through changes in smell or appearance. If you apply the lotion and it feels sticky or tacky, it could signify that your lotion has expired. These changes can affect the tanning bed process and might not result in the desired shimmer or bronzing effects.

Expiration dates are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the lotion. If your bottle appears old and you’re not sure when you bought it, it’s probably best to throw out the bottle and get a new one. Expired lotions may harbor bacteria or even fungal growth, posing risks to your skin health. Many lotions also contain nourishing natural ingredients like aloe vera, hemp seed oil, and silicone oils, which lose their potency over time. Using an expired product could cause skin issues such as dryness and irritation.

Pro tip: If your skin becomes irritated after applying an expired tanning lotion, wash it off immediately. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin or use a lotion that’s labeled hypoallergenic.

My advice is to always write down in Notes the day you buy skincare products like lotions to avoid contamination. That way, you will be sure that you are using 100% healthy and safe products. Look for natural products and cruelty-free options when purchasing new lotions to ensure ethical skincare.

Never use an expired tanning product, as it can cause more harm than good. Even if you don’t notice anything initially, I don’t advise you to use any expired personal care products.

How to store indoor tanning lotion?

Keep your indoor tanning lotion in a container with a tight seal, and store your indoor tanning lotion away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can degrade the lotion’s active ingredients, such as hemp seed oil, silicone oils, and anti-aging vitamins. You should not refrigerate your indoor tanning lotion, but you can store it in a dry place at room temperature. Keep it away from high humidity to avoid microorganisms or unwanted reactions.

You should keep your indoor tanning lotion out of the sun and not in the refrigerator, but otherwise, you can store it anywhere. Place your indoor tanning lotion bottles in a cabinet or drawer with your other skincare products.

Store tanning lotion for two years maximally. Don’t use it past its expiration days because it can cause an allergic reaction. For those with sensitive skin, expired lotions can lead to more severe reactions and may not provide the hydrating or moisturizing benefits.

Why should you store it properly?

• It will keep it fresh for a long time.

• It will preserve some of the lotion’s more fragile ingredients, like silicone oils and vitamins.
• Proper storage ensures your lotion continues to aid in achieving a dark tan, especially if it contains Intensifiers or Bronzers.

Can you use expired tanning lotion?

No, you cannot use expired tanning products. Just like the expiration date on food, tanning lotion also has an expiration date. Despite the lotion being finally closed, it’s been exposed to oxygen and light.

These factors can cause bacterial growth in the lotion, and you can get a rash or infections if you use this lotion on your skin. Expired lotions might lose the firming and anti-aging properties that many top brands like Designer Skin or Devoted Creations promote. If you use an expired tanning lotion, it can be very drying. It will not give any moisturizing or hydrating benefits that a good tanning lotion should provide. Dry skin can be exacerbated by expired lotions.

You shouldn’t use an expired tanning lotion, although it seems okay to do so. Below we have found a solution for all of you whose tanning lotions have expired.

How to make tanning lotion at home

Your tanning lotion has expired, but you need one urgently, don’t worry; you can make one by using some of the ingredients you have at home.

First, you will need to gather the following ingredients: 

• olive oil

• coconut oil

• essential oil (vanilla, chocolate)

• shea butter

• cocoa butter

• 1 teaspoon Ground Coffee or Cocoa Powder
  
• Optional: hemp seed oil

Step 1 – In a heat-proof bowl over a double boiler, mix all the solid ingredients – shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil.

Step 2 – Once the ingredients are melted and well mixed, take them off the heat. Add the oils and mix well. Also, add any fragrance or colorant you may want to use and mix that well.

Step 3 – Transfer this mixture into smaller sterilized jars before it hardens completely. Allow it to cool completely before closing jars containing this lotion with lids. Store your tanning lotion in a cool place. The shelf life of this lotion is only 6 months, so do not make too much of it at one time.

You can make your tanning lotion at home using simple ingredients!

Conclusion: Does indoor tanning lotion expire?

Indoor tanning lotion has a shelf life, and it is usually somewhere in the 2 to 4-year range before it expires. Before tanning, check to see how long your lotion has been around and what expiration date it might have. That way, you can know if you should buy a new bottle or if you can use your old one again. Consider using a tan extender to maintain your tan longer.

So, should you use an expired tanning product? The simple answer is no. These ingredients will have lost some of their potency and effectiveness. Thus, leaving your indoor tanners a bit less shiny, smelling like your old lunch, and less effective.

So, toss out the ones that have expired and get yourself some new lotions to help you get that bronze glow you’ve always wanted! For those who prefer spray tans, ensure the solution is also within its use-by date.

If you don’t want to buy a new one, we gave you a recipe for a homemade one, so you should check that out as well. We hope we have shed some light on how important the expiration date on a tanning lotion is and that you will watch out from now on. 

If you have tried out our homemade tanning lotion, feel free to write down your experience down below. We would be pleased to know.