A symbol introduced by the industry in conjunction with European Union guidelines recommends the length of time a product remains usable after opening. This period is referred to as the ‘period after opening’ (PAO). The period is given as a number of months and is marked with a letter ‘M’ under or within the ‘open jar’ symbol. When a PAO symbol is required this will appear on the product itself and on the outside packaging.
In practice, most cosmetic and personal care products are formulated to ensure that they are safe to use and have a shelf-life which far exceeds the normal time it would take to use the product up.
Some useful tips:
- Keep lids on products when not in use and use the product within the recommended time
- Avoid storing your products in the direct sunlight or near sources of heat and chose dry, cool (but not freezing) storage areas where possible
- Apply cosmetics with clean hands or an applicator and routinely wash all applicators thoroughly with soap, detergent or a mild shampoo and allow applicators to dry thoroughly before use
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