Cosmetics Shelf Life Calculator

Cosmetic shelf life is how long a product stays safe and effective to use. Unopened products have a best-before date set by the manufacturer. Once you open a product, its shelf life is determined by the PAO (Period After Opening). This calculator uses your product type, opening date, and PAO to tell you exactly when your product expires.

It depends on the product. Mascara expires the fastest at 3 to 6 months after opening. Foundation and concealer last around 6 to 12 months. Lipstick and powder last 1 to 2 years. Skincare products last 6 to 12 months after opening. Perfume has the longest shelf life at 2 to 3 years. Enter your product details into the calculator to get your exact expiry date.

Look for the PAO symbol on your product packaging. It looks like a small open jar with a number and the letter M next to it; for example, 12M means 12 months after opening. Find your opening date, count forward by that number of months, and that is your expiry date. You can also use this calculator to do it instantly, without having to count manually.

No. Makeup from 10 years ago is well past its shelf life, regardless of whether it has been opened. Most makeup products expire within 1 to 2 years of opening and have a manufacturer's best-before date even when unopened. Using makeup that old causes the risk of bacterial contamination, skin irritation, and eye infections, especially for products like mascara or eyeliner used near the eyes.