Is the date on my product the expiration date or the manufacturing date?

We realize the dates on our products can be confusing. Some products have the expiration date printed on the packaging while others have the manufacturing date printed. For the products on our site which have the manufacturing date (as is often the case with Korean cosmetics) the date is usually followed by the word “제조,” which, in English, means “manufacture.” Products typically have a shelf-life of two to three years.

Here is a little cheat sheet to help you understand the symbols:

The manufacturing date (MFG) is the date when the product was produced. It helps you know how fresh the product is at the time of purchase.

The expiration date (EXP), on the other hand, is the last date the product is considered safe and effective to use. It indicates the time after which the quality of the product may start to degrade.

If you are still unsure about the date on your product, feel free to contact us.