If you're yet to venture off on your summer holiday this year, you'll know that staying safe in the sun is hugely important. Slathering on enough sunscreen is a guaranteed method to shield yourself from the sun's damaging rays, which can trigger a range of health issues when they're strong enough - from sunstroke to the more severe melanoma. Now, experts have sounded an alarm for anyone with leftover bottles of sunscreen at home, encouraging people to closely inspect a specific symbol that should 'never' be overlooked if you wish to stay safe.
READ MORE: The 30 European countries Brits will need new travel pass for in 2025 The consumer advocates at Which? recently shared a TikTok video highlighting the importance of checking your sunscreen bottles meticulously before use to prevent getting burned, reports the Daily Record . They emphasised that one crucial symbol 'cannot afford to be ignored' - and it's not the UV star rating, which measures the level of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) protection. Instead, it's the tiny icon resembling an open box, typically followed by a number and the letter M.
This represents the expiry date, indicating how long it remains effective after you've opened it. The experts clarified: "The Period After Opening (PAO) jar symbol says how many months cosmetic products such as sunscreen are effective after first opening." Obviously, remembering when you've opened a bottle of sun protectant could be really difficult, but the experts have a nifty trick to make sure you're never caught out with an expired bottle.
They suggest that as soon as you pop the seal on a new bottle of sun protectant, grab a felt-tip pen and jot down the date on the bottle itself. This simple act can be a game-changer, ensuring you always know how long you've been using it and when it's time to toss it out for a fresh one. The expert advised: "If it's past its use-by, don't risk it.
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