CLUELESS FILIPINA EP.8: MAKE-UP EXPIRATION DATES

Okay, after much extensive "online-literature" this is basically information that I have gathered, and deduced from reputable sources. This will help us to know when to throw out our beloved makeup and as to not risk any skin/health problems.

 OF COURSE! You will be looking for the EXPIRATION DATE in the PACKAGING, - Expiration Date indicates that a product cannot be used anymore since it is expired.

e.g. Exp. 09/12 means that you can use the makeup only until September, 2012 or 

Exp. 1/06/2012 means that makeup can be used only before 1 of June, 2012.

To know how long you can use a product, look at the packaging if it has this:

This is PAO (Period After Opening) Symbol or otherwise known as the "OPEN JAR SYMBOL" it is a graphic symbol that identifies the useful lifetime of a cosmetic product after its' package has been opened for the first time. It depicts an open cosmetics pot and is used together with a written number of months or years. This is a new system devised by the European Union's cosmetics regulatory branch.

"M" stands for the word "Menses" in Latin, or "Month" in English. So, if it says, 12M, that means the product is good for 12 MONTHS.

SO, THIS SOUNDS SO CONFUSING NOW RIGHT? YOU HAVE YOUR PAO AND EXPIRATION DATE, HOW CAN I DETERMINE THE "EXACT" EXPIRATION DATE FOR MY COSMETICS?

Your makeup will expire as soon as expiration date is reached OR end of PAO is reached.

1. EXPIRATION DATE WILL BE REACHED FIRST

Okay, so let me tell you a story so you can understand. Mom bought a Foundation last FEBRUARY 1, 2012, at the bottom of the box the Expiration Date is JUNE 1, 2012 (Just 4 months left until the expiration date), on the other hand, the PAO says 18M (Eighteen Months) so the end of PAO will be March 1, 2013 but the expiration date is JUNE 1, 2012. Since it reaches JUNE 1, 2012 (the expiration date) FIRST. YOU SHOULD NOT USE THAT ANYMORE AFTER JUNE 1, 2012. Get it?

2. PAO DATE WILL BE REACHED FIRST

Okay, another story, My sister bought a Lipstick last July 2012, and at the packaging it has an Expiration Date of October 2013 but also indicated in the packaging 12M. So, my sister doesn't know which one to follow. Since my sister bought that last July 2012, just add 12 months, and you get July 2013 but it says in the expiration date OCTOBER 2013 and that's like 3 months to go before the expiration date.

THIS MEANS, THAT YOU SHOULD STOP USING THE PRODUCT AT THE END OF PAO (JULY 2013) AND DO NOT WAIT FOR THE EXPIRATION DATE.

I'm pretty sure YOU ARE CHECKING your make-up packages by now, if you can't see this symbol, that is because European Companies mainly use this, but as time pass by, more and more companies are trying to utilize this as well.

You can always refer to the CHART I have below for common PAOs. But If your the type of person who really wants to make sure, there is a Cosmetic Calculator available online. You basically just have to look at the batch code or lot number  on a package of the product and enter the number as directed.

This is my "BASIC BEAUTY PRODUCT TIME TABLE" I'll upload a MORE EXTENSIVE one soon.

*Concealer- Up to 12 months
Stick concealers last up to 1 year and wand concealers last up to 6 months

*Blush (cream) Up to one year
*Blush (powder) Up to two years
*Bronzer Up to two years

Mascara – 3 months
Eye liner (liquid) Up to 3 months
Eye line (pencil) Up to 6-8 months
Eye shadow (cream) Up to one year
Eye shadow (powdered) Up to two year

*Lip liner, Lip Gloss, Lip Pencil - 2-3 years

*Water-based foundation - 6 months
*Oil-based foundation – 18 months
*Cake foundations- 24 months

*Other Powder Based Products - 24 months

Hope you can fully appreciate this, and I will do my best for you guys to understand this a lot easier.

CIAO!