Understanding PAO and cosmetic expiration dates

Khaosod•Society•31m ago

Reader Briefing

Cosmetic products have different expiration indicators including fixed expiration dates and Period After Opening (PAO) symbols.

•Cosmetics degrade in quality over time after opening due to environmental factors and contamination.
•Expiration dates indicate the date after which a product should not be used regardless of appearance.
•PAO symbols indicate the recommended usage period in months after the product has been opened.
•European Union regulations determine when a PAO symbol can be used instead of a specific expiration date.

Overview

•Cosmetic quality degrades after opening due to time and contamination from hands or application tools.
•Products should be discarded if they exhibit changes in color, smell, texture, or contain foreign particles like mold.
•Use of expired cosmetics can lead to irritation, stinging, itching, or abnormal red rashes.
•The PAO (Period After Opening) symbol consists of an open jar icon with a number followed by 'M' for months.
•European Union regulations allow cosmetics with a shelf life longer than 30 months to display a PAO symbol instead of a specific date.
•Users should store products in dry, cool places, avoid sunlight, and keep lids tightly closed to maintain quality.
•Users are advised to avoid using hands directly with creams and avoid sharing products with others.

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Key Entities

Organization

European Union(สหภาพยุโรป)ℹ️

The organization whose regulations specify that cosmetics with a shelf life over 30 months do not need a specific expiration date if a PAO symbol is provided.