Leaving SPF in car/hot environment...

[cransplash]

This is kind of a silly question, but does anyone know if SPF “breaks down” in a hot car/environment? I like to leave my SPF hand lotion (Aveeno) in the car since I am so bad at remembering to use it. When I’m at work (not near a window), it’s not as big of a deal, but my hands/arms are exposed to sun when I’m driving (and we have a long commute). I wasn’t sure if the SPF would “break down” from being trapped in the heat of the car.

Another thing is that my DH also likes to keep his SPF30 facial moisturizer in the car b/c (for some reason I can’t comprehend), he remembers to put on his facial SPF moisturizer in the car on the way to work/after gym.

[natablue]

I think I've read in multiple articles about how a hot car can cause it to break down. I wouldn't chance it.

[cransplash]

I was worried about this. Thanks!

[treedimensional]

OMG, do people leave it in the car?
Isn't it like 150 degrees inside a car?
I left a chapstick in the ashtray once and it was not pretty.

[fashionx]

I would get a small version to stick in your purse if you're needing it on the go. And I wouldn't use it after sitting in the car. If the bottle is heated to higher than 77 degrees it will start to break down. It will not protect to the full extent of the SPF, and at the extreme, it will completely breakdown and become basically just lotion.

[cransplash]

Thanks.

Just curious though- when I put SPF in my beach bag and am out all day in the hot sun (with the bag), won't the SPF break down then as well?

[treedimensional]

Jul 11, 2012 12:28:06 GMT -5 cransplash said:

Thanks.

Just curious though- when I put SPF in my beach bag and am out all day in the hot sun (with the bag), won't the SPF break down then as well?

It depends how long you stay on the beach, but my guess is that it is MUCH cooler inside your beachbag on the beach than in a closed car. You'd have to place it in direct sun to get the same heat, and it's protected in your bag.

[fashionx]

I agree, it can probably break down in a beach bag eventually too, but not as quickly as in a hot car. I've heard keeping it in a cooler, or in the shade is best (if you have a cooler with you). The inner temp of your car can reach 20 degrees or higher than the outside temp when it's sitting in the sun.