Do Skincare Products Expire? How to Read Labels and Track Opening Dates

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Skincare products on a dressing table, including a moisturiser jar labelled with its opening date.

A moisturiser you opened months ago can easily disappear behind newer products. When you find it again, how do you decide whether to keep using it?

Understanding skincare expiry labels—and keeping track of when you open products—makes that decision easier. Here is a simple guide to organising your skincare shelf.

What does the open-jar symbol mean?

Look for a small picture of an open jar on the packaging. It may contain a number followed by the letter M.

This is the period-after-opening symbol, often shortened to PAO. The number indicates the labelled usable period after first opening:

  • 6M: six months after opening.
  • 12M: twelve months after opening.
  • 24M: twenty-four months after opening.

For example, opening a product marked 6M on 1 September gives you a six-month window to track. The symbol refers to opening the product, rather than buying it. Learn about the period-after-opening symbol.

Do all skincare products last the same amount of time?

No. A cleanser, moisturiser and serum should not automatically share the same replacement schedule. Formulation, packaging and storage conditions affect how long products remain usable.

Heat, light, moisture and contamination can contribute to deterioration. Check the instructions on each individual product instead of relying on one general timetable for your whole collection. Read more about skincare shelf life.

What should you check before using an older product?

Start with its printed expiry date, opening-period symbol and storage directions. Also look for changes such as an unusual smell, colour or consistency.

A normal appearance alone does not establish that a product is still suitable to use. Avoid using appearance as a reason to ignore the manufacturer’s date or instructions. If the label is unclear, contact the manufacturer with the product name and batch code. More on recognising expired skincare.

Create a simple opening-date system

You do not need a special app. A small sticker and your phone’s notes app can help.

  1. Write the opening date on the container without covering its instructions.
  2. Record the period-after-opening information.
  3. Add a reminder to review the product before that period ends.
  4. Keep a photograph of the packaging if you plan to discard the box.

Your note could look like this:

“Daily moisturiser — opened 1 September — label says 6M — review before 1 March.”

Organise your shelf to reduce waste

Keep products you currently use together so they are easy to see. Place unopened replacements separately and check your existing collection before shopping.

Opening several similar products at once makes it harder to finish each one within its labelled period. Consider opening a replacement when you need it, rather than immediately after buying it.

When comparing sizes, think about your actual usage. A larger bottle may cost less per millilitre, but a smaller bottle can be better value if you finish it.

For more shopping guidance, read our 9 Things to Check Before Buying a Skincare Product Online.

A useful task for today: choose three products on your shelf, check their labels and record any opening dates you remember. For your next new product, start tracking from the first use.

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