Read the symbol and the surrounding information
The open-jar symbol identifies the period after opening, often abbreviated to PAO. Spain’s medicines and health products agency, AEMPS, explains that the period is shown in months or years. A 12M marking refers to twelve months from opening, rather than the purchase date or the most recent occasion on which you used the product.
A minimum durability date is a separate indication and should not be confused with the PAO. Read the full packaging, including precautions and any enclosed information. If the wording is unreadable or unclear, ask the manufacturer. A generic online chart cannot account for every difference between formulas, packaging designs and the instructions supplied with them.
Keep a record you can maintain
Write the first-opening date on a small label without covering the original information, or keep it in a phone note. You can add a photograph of the packaging and the shade name. There is no need for an exhaustive inventory. The useful question is simply when you started using that particular unit of the product.
When you open a refill or a new unit, create a fresh entry rather than reusing the previous one. Keeping several versions of the same product open makes tracking more complicated. Before opening another, check whether you already have an option that serves the same purpose and can still be used in accordance with its instructions.
Dates do not replace careful handling
The FDA notes that shelf life also depends on how a product is used and stored. Follow the storage directions instead of treating the calendar as an unconditional promise. If mascara dries out, the FDA’s advice is to discard it, not add water or saliva in an attempt to restore its original texture.
If you notice an unexpected change, put the product aside and contact the brand rather than experimenting with mixtures. Keep the packaging so you can identify it when asking a question. This small record is not intended to speed up replacement shopping. It helps you use what you own thoughtfully and avoid opening products before you need them.
Sources and further reading
Editorial guide published on October 23, 2026, with sources checked on that date. Not breaking news or personalized advice. The image is illustrative.
