Cosmetics Expiry Calculator
Enter the date you opened a product and select its PAO (Period After Opening) months to find the expiry date.
PAO is the small jar icon on packaging showing a number followed by "M" (months) — it indicates how long the product stays good after first use.
How cosmetics expiry is calculated
The Period After Opening (PAO) symbol — a small open jar icon with a number like "12M" — indicates how many months a cosmetic product remains safe and effective to use after it's first opened, which is often different from (and shorter than) the unopened shelf-life date.
This calculator adds the PAO months to your opening date to estimate the expiry date, handling month-length and year-rollover automatically. This gives a simple month-based estimate, not an exact day-by-day countdown.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between PAO and an expiration date?
An expiration date applies to an unopened, sealed product and is usually required for products with a shelf life under 30 months. PAO specifically measures how long a product is good for after it's opened and exposed to air, light, and repeated use.
Why does opening a product matter for its shelf life?
Once opened, a product is exposed to air, bacteria, and light, which can degrade its ingredients and effectiveness, or cause contamination over time — even if the product looks and smells normal, its quality and safety can decline.
Should I throw out a product past its PAO date even if it looks fine?
Generally yes — PAO dates are set conservatively for safety and effectiveness reasons, particularly for products used near the eyes or on broken skin. If a product shows visible changes in color, texture, or smell, discard it regardless of the PAO date.