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"  We all know how absolutely essential it is to wear sunscreen\u2014daily would be ideal but at least before hitting the beach. However, it turns out that many of us are forgoing a super important step before slathering on the UV-blocking stuff: Checking the expiration date. According to a survey by Escentual.com, 75 percent of people planning to take a summer vaycay would most likely take along sunscreen that&amp;#039;s over a year old. The issue? Most sunscreens stop being effective one year after purchase. Crazily enough, the survey found that 32 percent of people would use sunscreen that&amp;#039;s more than two years old, another third would use lotion that was over three years old, and 15 percent kept sunscreen for even longer. Admittedly, I totally have outdated sunblock in the back of my bathroom cabinet and while I&amp;#039;m tempted to think that maybe sunscreen manufactures won&amp;#039;t vouch for their products after 12 months just so we&amp;#039;ll buy more of it, I&amp;#039;d rather protect myself from cancer than save a couple bucks by using the old stuff.  So, be sure to check your bottles and give the heave-ho to anything past its date. Because as hilarious as Tan Mom is, the world only needs one of her.  Want more from Natasha? Follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook. Photo: Getty Images/OJO Images  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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