Guides
Everything about batch codes, shelf life, storage and authenticity — written to actually be useful.
What Is a Batch Code?
A batch code is a manufacturer's production stamp that reveals when your cosmetic or perfume was made. Here's how to read it.
How to Find Your Batch Code
Batch codes hide in different places on different products. This guide shows exactly where to look on makeup, skincare and perfume.
Cosmetics Shelf Life Guide
How long makeup, skincare and perfume really last — unopened and after opening — with a practical category-by-category table.
How Long Does Perfume Last?
Perfume can last 3–5 years or more. Learn what affects fragrance longevity and how to tell if a scent has turned.
How to Store Cosmetics Properly
Simple storage habits that extend the life of your makeup, skincare and perfume and keep them safe to use.
Fake vs Original: Spotting Counterfeits
How to use batch codes and packaging clues to tell genuine cosmetics and perfumes from convincing fakes.
Does Makeup Expire? Signs and Timelines
Yes — makeup expires, and using it past its prime can irritate skin or cause infections. Here are the real timelines and the warning signs to watch for.
PAO Symbol: What 6M, 12M and 24M Mean
The little open-jar icon with a number is the Period After Opening. Here's what 6M, 12M and 24M mean and how it differs from the batch code.
Does Sunscreen Expire? Why It Matters
Expired sunscreen loses SPF protection and can burn you. Learn how long sunscreen lasts, how to read its date, and when to throw it out.
When Does Mascara Expire?
Mascara has the shortest life of any makeup — 3 to 6 months after opening. Here's why, plus the signs it's time to replace it.
Can You Use Expired Skincare?
Expired serums, moisturisers and acids lose potency and can irritate skin. Here's how long skincare lasts and how to tell when it's turned.
Does Perfume Expire? How to Tell
Perfume doesn't have a hard expiry, but it does turn. Learn how long fragrance lasts, the signs it's gone off, and how to date a bottle.
When Does Foundation Expire?
Liquid foundation lasts 6–12 months after opening. Here's how to spot separated, oxidised or spoiled foundation before it wrecks your skin.
Does Nail Polish Expire?
Nail polish doesn't rot, but it thickens and separates over time. Here's how long it really lasts and how to tell when to toss it.
How to Dispose of Expired Makeup
Old cosmetics shouldn't just go in the bin. Here's how to empty, sort and recycle expired makeup and skincare responsibly.
Brands That Print the Date Directly (Korean & French Pharmacy)
Many Korean, Japanese and French-pharmacy brands stamp the manufacture or expiry date on the pack in plain numbers — here's how to read it without a batch-code decoder.