CosmeShelf
Skincare product freshness
Remember the day you opened it.
That little open-jar symbol is a useful place to start. Keep your opening dates and label information together instead of relying on memory.
01
Read the date on the packaging
A printed EXP or best-before date applies to the product as labelled. A barcode identifies a product; it does not contain the expiry date of your individual jar or bottle.
02
Track the period after opening
PAO, such as 6M or 12M, counts from first opening. Record that date to calculate an estimated use-by date. A category reference is guidance, not confirmed packaging data.
03
Know what a result means
Printed dates are label information; PAO-based dates are estimates; dates you type are user-entered. Unsupported batch codes show “Not enough information.” No tracker can guarantee product safety—follow the label and stop using products that change smell, texture or color.
Start with the open-jar symbol
Use your opening date and PAO for an estimated expiry date.
How long does skincare stay fresh?
There are two dates that matter for any skincare product. The first is the printed expiry or best-before date, which applies while the product is sealed. The second is the period after opening, shown as a small open-jar symbol with a number such as 6M or 12M. That number is how many months the maker recommends using the product once you have opened it.
The period after opening starts on the day you first open the product, not the day you bought it. A serum that has been sealed in a cupboard is in a very different state from the same serum opened eight months ago.
Some products need extra care. Vitamin C serums can darken as they oxidize. Sunscreen normally carries a printed expiry date, and that date is the limit. Products in jars are touched every time you use them, so clean hands or a spatula help.
Dates are guidance for normal storage. If a product smells different, has separated, or has changed colour or texture, stop using it even if the date says it is fine. If it irritates your skin, stop and speak to a pharmacist or doctor.
The hard part is remembering when you opened something. Write the month on the bottle, keep a list, or add the product to a free CosmeShelf shelf and see how long each one has left.
Read the guides
- What Is PAO and Why Your Skincare Depends On It
- 10 Signs Your Skincare Has Expired
- How Long Does Makeup Last After Opening?
- Retinol and Vitamin C — Can You Use Both?
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