Does skincare expire? The PAO jar symbol explained

The PAO symbol: what the open jar means

PAO stands for period after opening. The symbol is a small drawing of a jar with its lid open, with a number followed by M inside or beside it. The number is how many months the manufacturer intends the product to be used after you first open it. 6M means six months, 12M means twelve months, 24M means twenty-four months.

The PAO symbol is required under EU cosmetics rules for products that keep for more than 30 months unopened, so you see it on most luxury skincare sold worldwide, including in the US. It is the most useful number on the box for everyday use, because it starts counting from the day you open it.

Batch codes and expiry dates

Most cosmetics in the US are not required to print an expiry date, so many luxury creams show only a PAO symbol and a batch code. The batch code, also called a lot code, is usually stamped on the bottom of the box or the jar. It identifies the production run, and many brands encode the manufacturing date in it. Each brand uses its own format, so there is no universal way to read it. Some third-party websites try to decode them, but results are not guaranteed. If you need to know, the brand's customer service can usually tell you the production date from the code.

Products that keep for 30 months or less are expected to show a best before date, often with a small hourglass symbol, under EU rules. Sunscreens sold in the US are over-the-counter drugs and usually carry an expiration date. Our sunscreen in a luxury routine page covers sunscreen use.

Signs a product has changed

If you notice any of these, stop using the product, even if it is still within the PAO period. Heat, sunlight and contamination from fingers can shorten a product's life. If it is past the PAO period, the brand no longer intends it to be used, even if it looks fine.

• The smell is different from when you opened it.
• The color has shifted or darkened.
• The texture has separated, become grainy, or turned watery or stiff.
• There is visible mold, film or spots on the surface.
• A pump or dropper product looks cloudy when it was clear before.

Note.If a product causes stinging, redness or another reaction, stop using it. Contact a doctor or pharmacist if the reaction does not settle.

How to store skincare so it lasts as labeled

Airless pumps and tubes limit contact with air and fingers, which is one reason many brands use them. Wide jars are easy to use but need more care. See how to store luxury skincare and how to use a cream jar spatula.

1. 1

   Keep lids and caps closed tightly between uses.

2. 2

   Store products at room temperature, away from direct sun, radiators and hot cars.

3. 3

   Use a clean spatula for jars instead of fingers.

4. 4

   Do not add water to a jar or let water drip into it.

5. 5

   Keep droppers from touching your skin, then replace them straight into the bottle.

6. 6

   Follow any storage directions printed on the box.

Matching jar size to PAO

A simple way to avoid waste is to buy a size you will finish within the PAO period. At a pea-size amount twice a day, a 50 ml jar lasts roughly two months, well inside a 12M symbol. A 100 ml jar, such as Augustinus Bader The Cream at $565, lasts around four months at the same rate. A large 228 ml bottle of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence also lasts a few months with daily use. Our how long does a jar of face cream last page has the math.

If you use a product only now and then, such as an occasional mask or eye cream for travel, smaller sizes or sets may make more sense. Our mini vs full size page and luxury gift sets guide can help. A habit that works: write the opening month on the box or the base of the jar with a fine marker the day you open it.

Compare jar sizes and price per ml →

Frequently asked questions

How long does skincare last after opening? Check the PAO symbol. Common values are 6, 12 or 24 months. The brand's number applies to that specific product.

Does unopened skincare expire? It can. Unopened products also have a shelf life, which the brand tracks with a batch code or printed date. Ask the brand if you are unsure about an older box.

Can I use skincare after the PAO date? The brand no longer intends it to be used. Replacing it is the safe choice.

Do refills have their own PAO? Each new pod starts its own clock when you open it. See luxury skincare refills explained.