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The Ordinary PAO & NIOD

  • Multi-Peptide Serum + HA
  • Buffet + Copper Peptides 6M
  • Retinol & Retinoids 3M
  • UV Mineral Factor 15 & 30
The Ordinary PAO

The Ordinary PAO, Period After Opening, Expiry Date & Shelf Life

What is The Ordinary PAO?

PAO stands for “period after opening”. You will find this little symbol somewhere on your box and product reading 3m, 6m, 9m, 12m etc. This means that once you have opened your The Ordinary 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

The Ordinary PAO (period after opening), expiry date & shelf life will vary from product to product. Some will say 3M, 12M, and there are some with actual expiry dates.

The Ordinary PAO Period After Opening

The Ordinary & NIOD Products Expiry Dates

The majority of the The Oridnary & NIOD products have PAO, but some of The Ordinary and other NIOD products have expiry dates.

  • The Ordinary Sun Cream
  • Niacinamide Powder
  • L-Ascorbic Acid Powder
  • NIOD CAIL Copper Amino Isolate Lipid

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 The Ordinary & NIOD update 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 but my latest Ascorbyl Glucoside says 6M.

The Ordinary Peptides PAO Period After Opening

Multi-Peptide Serum + HA
Matrixyl
Argireline
12M
12M
12M
Multi-Peptide Eye Serum
Buffet + Copper Peptides
6M
6M

The Ordinary Acids PAO Period After Opening

Glycolic Acid
AHA 30%
Lactic Acid 10%
Lactic Acid 5%
Mandelic Acid
Azelaic Acid
Salicylic Acid 2%
12M
12M
12M
12M
12M
12M
12M
Salicylic Acid Anhydrous
Salicylic Acid Masque
6M
6M
Build A Regimen

The Ordinary Oils & Hydrators PAO Period After Opening

Natural Moisturising Factors. + HA
NMF + PhytoCeramides
Hyaluronic Acid
Marine Hyaluronics
Amino Acids
12M
12M
12M
12M
12M
Squalane Oil 
Rose Hip Seed Oil
Hemi Squalane
Borage Seed Oil
Chia Seed Oil 
B Oil
Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M

The Ordinary Retinol & Retinoid PAO

These should be refrigerated, so before you buy any of these, think! Will you go to the fridge, put the product on and then put it back in the fridge?

Retinol 1% in Squalane
Retinol 0.2% in Squalane
Retiol 0.5% in Squalane
Granactive Retinoid 2%
Retinoid 2% in Squalane
Retinoid 5% in Squalane
3M
3M
3M
3M
3M
3M

The Ordinary More Molecules PAO

Aloe 2% + NAG 2%
Niacinamide 10%
Alpha Arbutin
Caffeine Solution
12M
12M
12M
12M
Niacinamide Powder6M

The Ordinary Antioxidants PAO

EUK 134
Pycnogenol
Resveratrol & Ferulic Acid
6M
6M
6M

The Ordinary Vitamin C PAO Period After Opening

Vitamin C 23%
Vitamin C 30%
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution
Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution
Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder
Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15%
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M

The Ordinary Cleansers, Hair Care & Primers PAO

Multi-Peptide Lash Serum
Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
Natural Moisturizing Factors for Scalp
Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair
Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner
6M
12M
12M
12M
12M
Squalane Cleanser
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
High-Adherence Silicone Primer
High-Spreadability Primer
6M
12M
12M
12M
12M

NIOD PAO Period After Opening

All NIOD products say 6M so they should be used within 6 months of opening. I find some of the masques do go a bit crusty once they pass the 6 month period.

NIOD CAIL See Expiry Date
NIOD SDSM
NIOD LVCE
NIOD SS
NIOD CAIS 2:1
NIOD MMHC2
NIOD FECC
NIOD LBLC
NIOD NEC
NIOD FM
NIOD RP
NIOD NAAP
NIOD ELAN
NIOD S0
NIOD S10
NIOD S20
NIOD S30
NIOD PF 8%
NIOD PF12%
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
6M
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 unopened?

Deciem say the shelf life of the brands (unopened) are as follows;

  • The Ordinary products – 3 years
  • NIOD is between 18 and 24 months

Copper Peptides – From personal experience, 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.

Build A Skincare Regimen

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 at 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 open 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 after using them. Some products can get quite gloopy, particularly the oils and the caffeine solution.
  • NIOD Masques – I would advise buying the smaller sizes to be sure you use them up in time.
  • Don´t stock up on Copper Peptide products just because they’re on sale! We have found they don´t stay the gorgeous blue if stored too long.

The Ordinary & NIOD Guides

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