WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE OF ULTRASUN PRODUCTS? HOW LONG CAN I USE A PRODUCT ONCE IT IS OPENED?

In cosmetics shelf life, expiry dates and PAO signs often lead to consumer misunderstandings. Ultrasun would like to issue a statement on this topic:

Shelf life time

The shelf life of all Ultrasun products is 36 months or more from the date of manufacture (in line with most cosmetic products in general). Ultrasun products can be used with complete safety for at least this time.

Expiry dates and PAO sign

In the EU, products with a shelf life of more than 30 months must be labelled with the PAO (period after opening) symbol, which indicates the period of use after the first opening of the product. The PAO of Ultrasun products is determined by the primary packaging. It is 12 months for tubes and 24 months for airless dispensers. The products must be used within the PAO as well as within the entire shelf life. Cosmetic products with a shelf life of less than 30 months must indicate the expiry date (EXP) on the packaging.

SUNSCREEN STAINS ON TEXTILES? WHAT CAN I DO?

Stains from the organic UV filters in sunscreen are a general problem for the sunscreen industry. They occur regardless of the sunscreen product used (spray, lotion, aerosol) or the brand. The stains are caused by the organic UV filters in the formulas. The oil-soluble UV filters in particular have a yellowish colour, which can adhere to textiles. These filters are however, absolutely necessary, for protection against the entire spectrum of sunlight.

Ultrasun determined in an in-house test that there are fewer yellow discolourations from the high-quality filters that we use than with other filters that we do not use. In addition, our unique lamellar formulations allow us to use fewer UV filters for the same protection, which leads to less discolouration.

Nevertheless, we have prepared the following washing instructions for textiles:

• Washing-up liquid as an emergency solution The sunscreen should be removed immediately with a towel, without rubbing it in. Washing-up liquid helps remove fat, so it works very well as the first step because the UV filters are oil-soluble. Rub washing-up liquid into the stain and then wash the garment as per the instructions on the care label.
• Stain remover spray Spray the stain with a special spray for grease and oil stains and then wash the garment. Take special care with stain removal salts and bleach: if you soak your garment overnight in them, the colour may fade. Therefore, take care with textiles and other brightly-coloured items that can fade easily in the washing machine.
• Use gall soap This old home remedy can be used in a similar way to washing-up liquid: First remove any extra sunscreen with a towel and then rub some gall soap into the stain. After briefly soaking the garment, you can then wash it. Stubborn stains should be pre-treated several times with gall soap (wash by hand) before washing the garment in the washing machine.
• Citric acid Adding citric acid to your wash can help remove sunscreen stains. The temperature of the washing machine should be set to 50-60°C. The machine should only be slightly filled to prevent a “fold pattern”.