- Buffet 12M
- Buffet + Copper Peptides 6M
- Matrixyl 12M
- Argireline 12M
The Ordinary PAO, Period After Opening, Expiry Date & Shelf Life
What is The Ordinary PAO?
PAO stands for “period after opening”. You will find the above symbol with 3m, 6m, 9m, 12m etc., somewhere on the product or box. This means that once you have opened your product, it should be used within 3 months, 6 months or 12 months. It’s worth writing the date you opened it on the box or bottle.
The Ordinary PAO (period after opening), expiry date & shelf life will vary from product to product.
The Ordinary & Deciem Products Expiry Dates
The majority of the Deciem products have PAO, but some of The Ordinary and other Deciem products have expiry dates.
- The Ordinary Sun Cream
- Niacinamide Powder
- L-Ascorbic Acid Powder
- NIOD CAIL Copper Amino Isolate Lipid
- There may be some others
The Ordinary & NIOD PAO
Below are some of the products I currently own, and I have added the PAO for you to see. Please be aware that Deciem updates the formulas regularly, so your PAO may differ depending on when you purchased it.
I have an Ascorbyl Glucoside from over a year ago, and it says 12M. My latest one says 6M.
The Ordinary Peptides PAO Period After Opening
| Buffet | 12M | Matrixyl | 12M |
| Argireline | 12M | Buffer + Copper Peptides | 6M |
The Ordinary Acids PAO Period After Opening
| Glycolic Acid | 12M | AHA 30% | 12M |
| Lactic Acid 10% | 12M | Lactic Acid 5% | 12M |
| Mandelic Acid | 12M | Azelaic Acid | 12M |
| Salicylic Acid Masque | 6M |
The Oils & Hydrators PAO Period After Opening
| Squalane Oil | 6M | Natural Moisturising Factors | 12M |
| Hemi Squalane | 6M | Hyaluronic Acid | 12M |
| Borage Seed Oil | 6M | Marine Hyaluronics | 12M |
| Chia Seed Oil | 6M | Amino Acids | 12M |
| B Oil | 6M | Rose Hip Seed Oil | 6M |
| Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil | 6M |
The Ordinary Retinol & Retinoid PAO
| Retinol 1% in Squalane | 3M | Granactive Retinoid 2% | 3M |
The Ordinary More Molecules PAO
| Niacinamide 10% | 12M | Niacinamide Powder | Expiry date (side of box) |
| Alpha Arbutin | 12M | Caffeine Solution | 12M |
The Ordinary Antioxidants PAO
| EUK 134 | 6M | Pycnogenol | 6M |
| Resveratrol & Ferulic Acid | 6M |
The Ordinary Vitamin C PAO Period After Opening
| Vitamin C 23% | 6M | Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% | 12M |
| Ascorbyl Glucoside | 6M | Ascorbic Acid & Alpha Arbutin | 6M |
The Ordinary Cleanser, Concealer, Foundations, Hair Serum & Primers PAO
| Multi-Peptide Hair Serum | 12M | Serum Foundation | 12M |
| Squalane Cleanser | 6M | Coverage Foundation | 12M |
| High-Adherence Silicone Primer | 12M |
NIOD PAO Period After Opening
| NIOD S20 | 6M | NIOD CAIS 2:1 | 6M |
| NIOD RP | 6M | NIOD LVCE | 6M |
| NIOD PF12% | 6M | NIOD SS | 6M |
| NIOD CAIL | Expiry Date | NIOD MMHC2 | 6M |
| NIOD NEC | 6M | NIOD FM | 6M |
| NIOD SDSM | 6M |
Does everyone stick to the PAO?
I asked this question on Instagram Stories and here are the results! 65% of people do not stick to the period after opening.
What is the shelf life of The Ordinary, NIOD, Hylamide
Deciem say the shelf life of the brands (unopened) are as follows;
- The Ordinary products are 3 years
- NIOD is between 18 and 24 months
From personal experience, if you purchase copper peptides, I would advise you to use them as soon as possible as we have found they turn black rather than stay the gorgeous blue if you store them for too long.
How long does a bottle of The Ordinary last?
If you use a 30ml bottle at least once every day, then you´re probably looking around 3/4 months. But if you have numerous products on the go and only use them once or twice a week, you will probably find that you go over the PAO. When it comes to buying masks, particularly the NIOD masques, I recommend purchasing smaller-sized products where possible if you are only going to use them once or twice a week. I asked the Deciem Addicts on Instagram how long a bottle of The Ordinary lasted them, and here are all their answers.
Some Tips
- Write on the bottle or box the date you opened the product.
- Don’t have too many products on the go at once.
- Retinol & Retinoids now need to be kept in the fridge and have a PAO of 3 months.
- Wipe the neck of the bottles. Some products can get quite gloopy, particularly the oils and the caffeine solution.
- The smaller sizes of NIOD work out more expensive, but I think are better to purchase as you are more likely to use it all up in time.
- Don´t stock up on Copper Peptide products just because they’re cheap! We have found they don´t stay the gorgeous blue if stored too long.
