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Period After Opening (PAO) vs. Expiry Date

Period After Opening (PAO) vs. Expiry Date

The European Cosmetics Regulation outlines numerous mandatory guidelines and requirements for labelling and clearly communicating relevant safety information about cosmetic products. Each of these guidelines and cosmetic requirements, including labelling, must be strictly adhered to by manufacturers for all cosmetic products seeking to enter the European market.

The expiry date and PAO are included in the Stability Testing section of the cosmetic product compliance process, which forms part of the product safety assessment. During this process, both factors are evaluated in an effort to ensure maximum safety for the consumer.

Expiration Date (Date of Expiry)

Generally, this is accepted as the time it takes for a product to stop functioning as stated or advertised. Essentially, it is a safe period during which it will perform its function. Depending on the type and nature of the product, the expiration date can be very important and is related to other factors:

  • How the product is used or handled (interaction with the human body, fungi, bacteria..)

  • Where and how the product is stored (temperature and exposure to light)

  • Whether the product can dry out or become too moist over time (change its consistency)

  • The chemical composition of the product and whether this may lead to the product breaking down into different elements

If a cosmetic product has a shelf life of less than 30 months, the expiry date must be clearly indicated on its packaging. If the shelf life exceeds 30 months, it is not necessary to indicate the expiry date on the packaging, but the period after opening is (PAO).

Period After Opening (PAO)

The period after opening represents the period for which the product remains stable and safe for human use after first opening. Therefore, it is very closely related to the rate of degradation that the product faces, as well as the shelf life. In this case, however, it is much more directly affected by its first use or first interaction with the consumer (microbial contamination).

The determination of PAO takes into account a number of factors, including the type of product and its stated effects. Extremes in certain factors can significantly affect the PAO of a product, including use on children or sensitive areas of the body.

Why does cosmetics designed for eye care have a shorter shelf life?

The shelf life of cosmetics in the eye area is more limited than other products because it is more susceptible to microbial infection during consumer use and the risk of eye infections. Manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara 3 to 6 months after opening it. If it dries out, it should be discarded. Do not use water, and certainly not saliva, to moisten it. You could introduce bacteria into the product. If you have an eye infection, seek medical attention immediately and stop using and discard all eye area cosmetics that you used when the infection occurred.

Proven tips for using cosmetics

  • Read the instructions carefully and note all warnings regarding use.

  • Close unused products tightly.

  • Observe the expiration date and period after opening.

  • Do not store products in direct sunlight or near heat sources. If possible, choose a cool place (non-freezing :D)

  • Never dilute products.

  • Apply products with clean hands or an applicator.

  • If in doubt, throw the product away.