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Safety 101: The Open Jar Symbol…

March 6, 2013 by 6 Comments

I have so many emails asking about the shelf life of skincare and makeup.  I had one reader say she had the same face cream from 2009!!  Not pretty ladies.  Just like cosmetics, skincare has a shelf life…especially after it has been opened.  So how are you supposed to know when to toss things out?  European companies have used the PAO symbol or “Open Jar Symbol” for quite some time now.

OpenJarSymbol Safety 101: The Open Jar Symbol...

Now…this symbol is starting to catch on in the states which is a good thing.  In the past, this symbol was almost exclusively used for skincare but now it is being included on some makeup.  The issue is that it’s not everywhere so  here are a few good rules of thumb to go by.

Skincare

Preface this by saying, if you are using it like you are supposed to – they should be gone within 8 months.

  • Face cream 1-2 years
  • Organics if the item in question is organic or has plant based ingredients, the shelf life is much shorter because there is a higher chance of contamination because they don’t use traditional methods of preserving so I would say 1 year at the MOST.
  • Face Wash 1-2 years but again…it really should be lasting you a shorter period of time unless you buy an industrial size….LOL
  • Eye Cream 1 year.  Because it is a product that is near your eyes, there is a higher risk of contamination.

Makeup

Makeup is a bit trickier because they have different ingredients here is a guide….

  • Concealer Up to 12 months.
  • Powder Up to 2 years.
  • Pencil eye liner Should be sharpened regularly and can last up to 3 years.
  • Eyeshadow Up to 3 years.
  • Foundation Check the ingredients: A water-based foundation will last up to 12 months, oil-based will last up to 18 months.
  • Lip liner Up to 3 years.
  • Lipstick  1-2 years, BUT the best way to tell is, if it smells rancid or funny, toss it.
  • Mascara 2-3 months
  • Nail Polish Up to 12 months, depending on the quality.

Tools

  • Brushes Wash every 2-3 months in a mild detergent.
  • Sponges Wash weekly and discard monthly.

My last tip is always, always, ALWAYS wash your hands BEFORE you touch your products or your face.  If you are touching your products with unwashed hands you are contaminating them – plain and simple.  Think of it this way, whatever you touched that day is going into the product and onto your face….not pretty.  So check your products and be safe!

Stay Safe & Pretty!!

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About Lianne

Lianne Farbes is the Publisher and Editor In Chief of TheMakeupGirl. She is a Beauty Expert with over 20 years of experience working with makeup and skincare and has held every retail beauty position from sales girl to counter manager. She has made a living as a professional makeup artist and continues to spread her beauty knowledge through seminars and speaking engagements throughout the US. You can follow Lianne on twitter at @LianneFarbes or beauty related tweets at @TheMakeupgirl Follow us on Instagram at @MakeupGirlBlog for swatches and other cool pics too!

  • http://www.urbanapothecary.com Cheri Tracy

    What a great article! I’m also pleased that this symbol is starting to appear on cosmetics as well.

    I wanted to add the shelf life for cosmetics -as a general rule- powders can last about two years and liquids and creams (except eye) about 12-18 months.

    Mascara, Liquid Eyeliner, Cream Eyeliner: 3-6 months
    Creme Blush, Bronzer, Concealer, Eye Shadow, Foundation: 12-18 months
    Liquid Blush, Bronzer, Concealer, Eye Shadow, Foundation: 12-18 months
    Powder Blush, Bronzer, Concealer, Eye Shadow, Foundation: 24 months
    Lipstick: 24 months
    Eye Liner / Lip Liner: 24 months
    Lip Gloss: 12-18 months

    These guidelines are based on a product that has just been opened, assuming that it’s been kept out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place. If it starts to separate or smell strange, it’s past its prime.

  • http://www.themakeupgirlblog.com Lianne

    Thanks for the extras Cheri! I have smelled old lipstick before…not pretty LOL

  • http://www.chella.com/ Kimberly Kolodziejski

    At Chella, we have begun using the “Open Jar” symbol as well, but I agree with your time table above. The best rule of thumb we tell our clients is that if you are using a jar where you dip your fingers into the product..three months MAX. After much research and customer feeedback, we are converting our beautiful wide mouth jars to airless pumps. They are a much more sanitary delivery system and will allow you a longer life for your products. Thanks for the great info!

  • http://www.chella.com/ Kimberly Kolodziejski

    At Chella, we have begun using the “Open Jar” symbol as well, but I agree with your time table above. The best rule of thumb we tell our clients is that if you are using a jar where you dip your fingers into the product..three months MAX. After much research and customer feeedback, we are converting our beautiful wide mouth jars to airless pumps. They are a much more sanitary delivery system and will allow you a longer life for your products. Thanks for the great info!

  • http://www.chella.com/ Kimberly Kolodziejski

    At Chella, we have begun using the “Open Jar” symbol as well, but I agree with your time table above. The best rule of thumb we tell our clients is that if you are using a jar where you dip your fingers into the product..three months MAX. After much research and customer feeedback, we are converting our beautiful wide mouth jars to airless pumps. They are a much more sanitary delivery system and will allow you a longer life for your products. Thanks for the great info!

  • Caterina

    I agree, but not for nail polish! I really think nail polish is eternal! =) with a good thinner (think seche restore or mavala) you can always bring them back, and there is no way that bacteria will grow in a varnish (I’m a biologist, I can tell you!).

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