PAO Calculator
Enter the day you first opened the product and the number from the open-jar symbol (for example 12M).
Advertisement
What the PAO is
The PAO (Period After Opening) tells you how many months a product stays good after you open it. Read the full explanation in our PAO symbol guide.
Remember
- If the pack also shows a printed expiry date, follow whichever comes first. The expiry calculator compares both.
- Heat, sunlight and wet fingers can shorten the real life of a product.
Related guides
PAO Symbol Explained: What 6M, 12M and 24M Mean
What the open-jar PAO symbol means, how to count the months, and how it differs from an expiry date.
How Long Do Cosmetics Last After Opening?
A simple chart of how long mascara, foundation, lipstick, moisturiser, nail polish and perfume usually last after opening.
Batch Code vs Expiry Date vs Manufacture Date vs PAO
What each date and code on a cosmetic pack means, and which one to follow when they disagree.