Why You Should Never Keep Sunscreen in the Car
If you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors - on the tennis court, walking the dog or chasing your kids - it’s tempting to keep sunscreen stashed in your car. A bottle in the glove compartment or center console seems like a practical move.
But, dermatologists and sun care experts strongly advise against storing sunscreen in your vehicle. Car storage might be be quietly sabotaging your efforts to shield your skin.
"Once a sunscreen formula is exposed to sustained heat, it can lose its stability. That means the SPF on the label may no longer reflect the protection you’re actually getting."
Heat Can Degrade Active Ingredients
Sunscreen is a chemical formulation and is sensitive to extreme temperatures. On warm days, the interior of a parked car can easily exceed 120 degrees. Mineral and chemical sunscreens can break down in those conditions, becoming less effective at blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Texture Changes May Signal a Problem
Even before the ingredients degrade, high heat can cause visible and tactile changes in a sunscreen’s texture. If your lotion seems separated, runny, grainy or smelly, it’s likely been compromised.
This is especially true for natural or mineral-based sunscreens, which often skip synthetic stabilizers. Natural & mineral sunscreens are a plus for people with sensitive skin, but unfortunately are more vulnerable to heat-related breakdown.
You May Be Using Expired Sun Protection Without Knowing It
The FDA requires sunscreens to remain effective for at least three years. But that timeframe assumes the bottle is stored in a cool, dry place—not on the dashboard of a sun-baked car.
Repeated exposure to heat can reduce the effectiveness of a single application and shorten the sunscreen’s overall shelf life, making it ineffective months (or even years) earlier than expected.
What You Can Do Instead
- Carry a travel-size sunscreen with you. We like X and X.
- Store sunscreen in a cooler bag. Bags like this are especially great for long drives or beach and hiking trips.
- Opt for wearable protection. Lightweight UPF clothing like JOJU sun shirts protects against 98% of UVA and UVB rays without the need for additional sunscreen.
Bottom Line? Sunscreen Isn’t Seasonal
Sunscreen is only effective when it’s stored and used properly. Leaving it in the car can quietly render it less reliable, undermining your skin protection routine without you realizing it.
A little planning can go a long way toward keeping your skin safe. And when it comes to sun protection, it’s worth getting it right.
