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.
3 min read · Updated July 2026
What the open-jar symbol means
The PAO (Period After Opening) symbol is a small open jar with a number followed by 'M'. It tells you how many months a product stays good after you first open it.
So '12M' means use within 12 months of opening; '24M' means 24 months. The clock starts the day you break the seal, not the day you bought it.
PAO vs the batch code
These are two different timers. The batch code encodes the manufacture date and tells you the unopened shelf life. The PAO takes over once the product is opened.
A brand-new foundation could be two years old on the shelf (from its batch code) and still have a 12M PAO — meaning you get 12 more months once you open it, provided the unopened shelf life hasn't already lapsed.
Common PAO values
- 6M: mascara, liquid liner, some active serums.
- 12M: foundation, concealer, cream products, most skincare.
- 24M: powders, lipsticks, many fragrances and pencils.
- 36M: some perfumes and long-life formulas.
FAQ
Does every product have a PAO symbol?
Most EU-sold cosmetics with a shelf life over 30 months must show one. Products that last under 30 months use a 'best before' date instead. Fragrances sometimes omit it.
Should I write the opening date on the product?
It helps. A dab of marker or a small sticker with the open date makes the PAO easy to track, especially for mascara and skincare.