Cosmetic Expiry Date Calculator

Cosmetic Expiry Dates: Everything You Need to Know

Beauty and skincare products expire just like food and medicine. Using expired cosmetics can cause skin irritation, breakouts, eye infections, and allergic reactions. The preservatives in cosmetics degrade over time, allowing bacteria and fungi to grow — particularly dangerous for products applied near the eyes or on broken skin.

What is the PAO Symbol?

The Period After Opening (PAO) symbol is a small open jar icon printed on cosmetic packaging, followed by a number and the letter "M" (for months). It indicates how long the product remains safe and effective after it has been opened.

Example: A PAO symbol showing "12M" means the product should be used within 12 months of first opening. If you opened a moisturiser on 1 January 2024 and it shows 12M, you should discard it by 1 January 2025.

Shelf Life of Common Cosmetics & Beauty Products

Product	Sealed (Unopened)	After Opening (PAO)
Mascara	2–3 years	3 months
Liquid eyeliner	2–3 years	3–6 months
Foundation (liquid)	2 years	12 months
Lipstick & lip gloss	3–5 years	12–18 months
Face moisturiser	2–3 years	12–24 months
Sunscreen (SPF)	2–3 years	12 months
Eyeshadow (powder)	3–5 years	24 months
Blush & bronzer (powder)	3–5 years	24 months
Serum (Vitamin C)	1–2 years	3–6 months
Nail polish	2 years	12–24 months
Perfume / Eau de Toilette	3–5 years	3–5 years
Shampoo & conditioner	2–4 years	12–18 months

Tip: Write the date you opened each cosmetic product on the packaging with a permanent marker. This makes it easy to track when your products reach their PAO limit.

Signs That a Cosmetic Product Has Expired

Change in colour, texture, or consistency
Unusual or rancid smell (especially oils and creams)
Separation of ingredients that no longer mix together
Mascara has become dry, clumpy, or has an odd odour
Skin reactions, irritation, or breakouts after application

Why Expired Cosmetics Are Dangerous

Expired mascara and eye products are especially risky. They can harbour bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause serious eye infections. Expired face creams and serums may no longer contain effective levels of active ingredients, making them useless or potentially irritating. Expired sunscreen may no longer provide the stated SPF protection, leading to UV damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Using expired makeup can cause skin reactions such as redness, itching, rashes, and breakouts. Eye products like mascara and eyeliner are particularly risky — expired products can harbour bacteria that cause styes, conjunctivitis, and other eye infections. Always discard cosmetics that have passed their PAO date.

The PAO symbol looks like a small open jar with a number and "M" inside or next to it (e.g., 12M or 24M). It is usually printed on the back or bottom of cosmetic packaging. Some products also have a printed expiry date (Exp.) or manufacturing date (Mfg.) instead of or in addition to the PAO symbol.

Yes. The PAO period starts from when you first open the product, not from manufacture. Unopened cosmetics can last for 2–5 years from the manufacturing date depending on the product. Once opened, the PAO clock starts — use the product within the time indicated by the PAO symbol for best results.

Yes, you can use our calculator for natural and organic cosmetics too. In fact, natural products often have shorter shelf lives because they contain fewer synthetic preservatives. Many natural skincare products have a PAO of just 6–12 months after opening. Always check the packaging for the specific PAO period.