In the hustle of daily life, it’s easy to overlook how long you’ve had the makeup you’re applying each morning. I always invite my clients who are having makeup lessons to bring their personal skincare and cosmetics for evaluation and updates. I often find that unless it’s something they regularly finish and repurchase, most people aren’t sure how long they’ve owned or been using certain items. This can lead to using expired products that won’t perform optimally and may cause allergic reactions such as redness, irritation, breakouts, and even bacterial infections. These possible skin issues can be easily avoided by understanding cosmetic expiration and the Period After Opening (PAO) dates.

What is a cosmetic expiration date?

You’ve likely noticed the open jar symbol with a number followed by an “M” on your cosmetic packaging. The Period After Opening (PAO) symbol indicates how many months the product remains effective after it’s been opened. However, the actual expiration date refers to when the product was manufactured, which can sometimes be found as an embossed date on the packaging or inferred from the lot number (a six-digit code that includes both letters and numbers). Unfortunately, many products only display the PAO stamp and lot number, leaving customers unsure of when the product was manufactured. This can cause uncertainty, especially if the product is new and unopened.

Can unopened cosmetic products expire?

Yes, they can! Generally, unopened cosmetics have a shelf life of around 30 months or three years. For example, if you stock up on your favorite moisturizer because it’s on sale, it might have a 12-month PAO stamp. However, if you keep it for over three years, even if it’s unopened, you could still be risking your skin’s health.

4 signs it’s time to toss your cosmetics!

Knowing when to discard a product is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Here are some signs that it’s time to say goodbye to your favorite beauty items:

• Odor: If a product starts to smell bad, it’s a sign that the oils may have gone rancid. This is especially common in cream or liquid products like foundations and lipsticks.

• Texture Changes: If your skincare product’s texture has changed—becoming dry, gummy, or separating into layers—it may mean the emulsifiers are breaking down.

• Skin Irritation: Certain ingredients can degrade over time, releasing irritating compounds. If a product you’ve used for months suddenly starts to irritate your skin, it might be expired.

• Color Changes: A noticeable change in a product’s color, especially after opening, can indicate oxidation.

A few general product guidelines to keep in mind:

Unless the PAO stamp on your product states otherwise, here’s the amount of time your products will perform best. 

• Sunscreen and Moisturizers: 6 months to 1 year.

• Serums and Active Moisturizers: 6 months to 1 year.

• Mascara and Liquid Eyeliners: Toss after 3 months.

• Pencil-style Eye and Lip Liners: 6 months to 1 year.

• Liquid Foundations: 12–18 months.

• Cream Foundations and Blushes: 6 months to 1 year.

• Organic Formulas Without Preservatives: 3–6 months.

• Powder Products (face and eys shadows): up to 2 years

• Lipstick and Lip Gloss: 6 months - 1 year.

Additional consumer cosmetic safety tips

• Track When You Open Products: Make a note of when you first use a product. An easy tip for items you use occasionally is to write the month and year on the label or box.

• Shop Smart: While getting a deal at thrift stores, flea markets, or discount retailers is tempting, it can also be risky. You don’t know when the product was distributed, how long it’s been sitting on a shelf, or if it’s been stored properly. There’s also a risk of purchasing counterfeit items. A wiser choice is to purchase products from reputable retailers such as Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Target, and CVS, or directly from the brand's store counter or website.

• Store Your Cosmetics Properly: Keep your cosmetics in a cool, dry place and avoid extreme heat or cold that can compromise a product’s lifespan.

• Research Batch Numbers: Visit the manufacturer’s website or search online to look up batch numbers and determine when a product was made.

Protect Your Skin by Staying Informed

Understanding that the date you purchased a product is different from its expiration date is essential. While many cosmetics can be safe to use past their expiration date, it’s best to avoid using any product for more than three years. To be on the safe side, I recommend discarding any cosmetics you’ve owned for over two years. By staying informed and vigilant, you can protect your skin and ensure that the products you use are both effective and safe!

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