Search your brand (334 listed), enter the batch code and tell us if the product is opened. Everything appears in one result below, with the use-by date and what to do next.
Saved on this device only. Works offline. Soonest use-by first.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Can | Estimate a manufacture month for 17 brands in three documented code families (Estée Lauder group, Pantene and L’Oréal’s documented years). For every brand it can work out the use-by date from a printed MFG or EXP date or from the opened date and PAO. |
| Cannot | Decode brands without a verified rule (most of them), prove a product is genuine or replace the expiry date printed on your pack. |
Every result shows its evidence level. Read our methodology to see how we decide what to decode.
Check the base of bottles, the crimped end of tubes, the underside of jars, the back of compacts and the outer box. Do not confuse it with the barcode. Read the full location guide.
Open a brand to see what our research found.
Directory listing only
Conflicting claims · not decoded
Conflicting claims · not decoded
Date estimate · limited evidence
Date estimate · limited evidence
Partial · 2013–2017 letters only
Partial · 2013–2017 letters only
Partial · 2013–2017 letters only
Date estimate · limited evidence
Partial · 2013–2017 letters only
Date estimate · limited evidence
Partial info · not decoded
What the open-jar PAO symbol means, how to count the months, and how it differs from an expiry date.
A simple chart of how long mascara, foundation, lipstick, moisturiser, nail polish and perfume usually last after opening.
Why a cosmetic batch code may not decode: wrong brand, look-alike characters, unsupported formats and what to do next.
Simple signs that makeup and skincare have gone off: smell, texture, colour and performance, plus what to check on the pack.
Many batch codes use a single digit for the year, so the same code repeats every ten years. Here is how to tell which year is likely.
Why mascara is replaced about every three months, signs it has gone off and tips to keep it fresh.
No. BatchCodeLookup.com is independent and not affiliated with any brand. We only use publicly documented formats and say how strong the evidence is.
Brands rarely publish their code formats. Rather than guess, we only decode formats we found documented. For every other brand you can still add a printed MFG or EXP date, or the opened date with its PAO, and get a real result.
No. A code may hint at when a product was made, but the date to follow is the printed expiry date or the open-jar (PAO) symbol on your pack.
No. See our guide on authenticity. A code can be copied, and a checker cannot inspect the product.