Do Beauty Products Expire? The Complete UK Guide

Yes, beauty products do expire. Most carry a small open-jar symbol with a number like “12M,” which tells you how many months the product stays good after you first open it. Makeup, skincare and fragrance all have different lifespans, and using them past their best can affect both how well they work and your skin. 

Do beauty products really expire?

They do. Like most things you put on or in your body, cosmetics don't last forever. Over time their ingredients break down, which can make them less effective and, in some cases, more likely to irritate your skin or harbour bacteria. Oils can turn, active ingredients can lose their potency, and preservatives that keep a formula safe gradually stop doing their job.

That doesn't mean you need to panic every time something edges past a date. But it does mean it's worth knowing roughly how long your products last, and recognising the signs that something is past its best — particularly for anything that goes near your eyes.

What is the PAO (Period After Opening) symbol?

The most useful marking on any beauty product is the PAO, which stands for Period After Opening. It's a small icon of an open jar with a number and the letter M inside it — for example, “12M” or “6M.” The number tells you how many months the product stays good once you've opened it.

The crucial detail is that the PAO clock starts when you first open the product — not from the date it was made. A “12M” foundation is good for twelve months after you break the seal, whether you opened it the week you bought it or six months later. This matters for outlet and surplus beauty, which we'll come back to.

Some products also carry a separate printed expiry date or a batch code, which you'll see most often on skincare and sun protection. Where both appear, the printed expiry date takes priority.

How long does makeup last?

Shelf life varies a lot by product, mostly depending on how much moisture a product contains and how much it's exposed to air and bacteria. As a general guide, once opened:

•     Mascara and liquid eyeliner: 3–6 months. These have the highest bacteria risk, so replace them promptly.

•     Liquid foundation: around 12 months.

•     Lipstick: 12–18 months.

•     Cream and liquid products: typically 6–12 months.

•     Powder products (eyeshadow, blusher, setting powder): 18–24 months — the longest, because they contain little moisture for bacteria to grow in.

•     Fragrance: often several years, sometimes up to five.

These are general ranges rather than hard rules — always defer to the PAO symbol on the specific product, and to your own senses.

Does skincare expire too?

Yes — skincare follows the same principles as makeup. Cleansers, moisturisers, serums and treatments all carry a PAO or expiry date, and their active ingredients can lose effectiveness over time. Natural and organic products often have shorter lifespans, because they tend to contain fewer synthetic preservatives.

One product deserves special mention: sun protection. SPF should never be used past its expiry date, because the filters that protect your skin degrade over time and you can't rely on the stated protection once they have. When in doubt with sunscreen, replace it.

How to tell if a product has gone off

Your senses are a good first line of defence. It's usually time to let a product go if you notice any of the following:

•     Smell: a sour, off or unusual odour compared to how it smelled when new.

•     Texture: thickening, separation, dryness or crumbling.

•     Colour: fading or a noticeable change — foundation oxidising and turning slightly orange is a classic sign.

•     Skin reaction: any new redness, breakouts or irritation after using it.

There's one important caveat. Bacterial contamination can build up without any visible sign at all, which is exactly why the PAO exists. This is especially true for eye products like mascara — so even if it looks and smells fine, it's best to stick to the recommended timing rather than judging by appearance alone. And never add water or saliva to revive a dried-out product; it only introduces more bacteria.

Why surplus beauty is still safe to use

Here's where the PAO symbol becomes reassuring rather than worrying. Because the clock only starts when a product is opened, unopened surplus stock is still well within its life, even if it has spent time in a warehouse. A sealed “12M” product hasn't started its twelve months until it reaches you and you open it.

Surplus beauty exists for the same ordinary reasons as surplus food. Brands overproduce, packaging gets redesigned, shades and lines get discontinued, and retailers clear seasonal stock. None of that has anything to do with the quality of what's inside. It's simply stock that can't be sold through the usual full-price channels — which is how genuine luxury beauty ends up available at a fraction of the original cost.

That's exactly what we do at Peeko: rescue quality surplus beauty and pass the saving on. You can explore the current range in our beauty outlet.

How to make your beauty products last longer

A few simple habits will help your products live up to their full shelf life:

•     Store them somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight and away from bathroom humidity, which speeds up the breakdown of many formulas.

•     Close lids and caps tightly after every use to limit air and bacteria getting in.

•     Wash your hands before applying products with your fingers, and keep brushes and sponges clean — replace sponges every few months.

•     Avoid sharing eye and lip products, which are the easiest way to pass bacteria between people.

•     A handy tip: pop a small sticker on each product with the month you opened it, so you always know where you are against the PAO.

Frequently asked questions

Do beauty products expire?

Yes. The ingredients in makeup and skincare break down over time, which reduces how well they work and can sometimes cause irritation. Most products carry a Period After Opening (PAO) symbol showing how many months they stay good once opened.

What does the PAO symbol (12M, 6M) mean?

The PAO symbol is a small open-jar icon with a number and an “M,” showing how many months a product lasts after opening. “12M” means 12 months from the day you first open it — not from when it was made. The clock only starts once the product is opened.

How long does makeup last?

It varies by product. Mascara and liquid eyeliner last around 3–6 months, liquid foundation around 12 months, lipstick 12–18 months, and powder products like eyeshadow up to 24 months. Fragrance can last several years.

Is it safe to use surplus or outlet beauty products?

Yes. The Period After Opening clock only starts once a product is opened, so unopened surplus stock is still well within its life. Surplus beauty usually exists because of overstock, packaging changes or discontinued lines — not because there's anything wrong with the product.

How can I tell if my makeup has gone off?

Look for a change in smell, texture or colour, or any irritation when you use it. Be especially careful with eye products like mascara, as bacteria can build up without any visible sign — so it's best to follow the PAO timing even if it looks fine.