SkinjotWhat does the PAO symbol mean? The open jar and "12M" on cosmetics
Short answer: The PAO (period after opening) symbol is the small drawing of an open jar on a cosmetic package. The "6M" or "12M" in or next to it tells you how many months after opening the product can be used: 12M means 12 months.
The clock starts on the day you first open the product, so writing down that date is what makes the symbol useful.
What does the PAO symbol look like?
Picture a cream jar with its lid open, with a number and the letter "M" on or next to it. M stands for months. Common values are 3M, 6M, 12M and 24M; some products state the period in years.
How is it different from an expiry date?
They answer different questions:
| PAO (open jar) | Expiry / "best used before" date | |
|---|---|---|
| What it tells you | How many months the product can be used safely after opening | The date until which the product, stored properly, keeps doing its job |
| When it starts | The day you first open it | A fixed date set at production |
| Symbol | Open jar + a period such as "12M" | An hourglass symbol or a printed date |
Under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009, Article 19), products with a minimum durability of 30 months or less must show a date. Products that last longer than 30 months don't need a date; instead they show this symbol with the period after opening during which the product is safe to use. Products where opening isn't relevant (for example some single-use or pressurized packs) may not carry it.
In the United States it's different: according to the FDA, no U.S. law requires cosmetics to have expiration dates on their labels; determining shelf life is the manufacturer's responsibility.
How do I work it out?
- Note the day you first open the product. A small date in permanent marker on the pack is the simplest way.
- Add the PAO period: a 6M product opened on March 15 is done around September 15.
- As the date approaches, check how much is left. If a lot remains, consider a smaller size next time.
PAO doesn't apply to an unopened product; for that, the date on the pack or the manufacturer's information applies.
Can a product go off before its PAO is up?
Yes. PAO assumes normal storage. The FDA notes that heat, for example leaving products in a hot car, can make preservatives break down and let bacteria and fungi grow faster, so a product can spoil early. Watch for:
- Changes in smell, color or texture: separating, clumping, a sour smell.
- Storage: hot, humid places like the bathroom, and direct sunlight.
- Habits: dipping fingers into a jar can introduce bacteria. The FDA advises never adding water or saliva to moisten a dried-out product, and not sharing makeup.
Eye products deserve extra care. The FDA notes eye-area cosmetics have shorter shelf lives and that manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase.
A practical way to track opening dates
For a few products, writing on the pack is enough. If your routine is busy, keeping dates in one list helps: what you opened when, its PAO and the estimated end date.
In Skinjot you can set an "opened on" date and a PAO period (such as 3, 6, 9, 12 or 18 months) when you add a product, and get an optional reminder before it runs out. Because your products sit on the same calendar as your skin entries, you can also see how your skin changed after you opened or stopped something.
Frequently asked questions
What does 12M mean?
It means the product can be used for 12 months after opening. M stands for months; 6M is six months and 24M is two years.
Is it dangerous to use a product past its PAO?
It may not work as expected and may have gone off; with eye products the risk of infection matters more. Don't use it if its smell, color or texture has changed. If your skin reacts, stop and see a dermatologist if needed.
Why doesn't my product have a PAO symbol?
If its durability is 30 months or less, it carries a date instead. Some packs where opening isn't relevant also don't need it, and products sold in the United States aren't required to carry such marks.
Does PAO apply to a product I haven't opened?
No. The PAO period starts when you first open the product. For unopened products, the date on the pack or the manufacturer's information applies; store them somewhere cool and out of the sun.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, Article 19: Labelling
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Shelf Life and Expiration Dating of Cosmetics
This article is general information; it is not medical advice and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Make decisions about your skin with your dermatologist.