The choice of high-quality mascara, lipstick or powder is one of the components of the health of your skin. However, in addition to the list of ingredients and the country of origin, the shelf life should be carefully examined on the packaging. According to the cosmetics code, this is easy to do, the main thing is to know how. The subtleties of this method we will share today with you.
What determines the shelf life of cosmetics?
First of all, it is worth noting that the shelf life of cosmetics directly depends on its composition and type. For example, perfumes containing alcohol cannot be stored for more than 5 years. The shelf life of products intended for skin should not exceed three, and sunscreens should not exceed two years. The classic mascara is recommended to be used before the expiration of 3, eye shadow - 1-2 years, liquid eyeliner - up to 2-3 months, and powder - up to 5 years.
Where should I look after printing cosmetics?
Buying certain products for the body, few people care about such a thing as checking the expiration date of cosmetics by code. Many of us simply look at the date of release and sale, indicated on the bottom of the package, from the side, back or top. However, this approach to the selection of perfumes and other cosmetic products is extremely incorrect.
The fact is that on many foreign jars and boxes, in addition to the main two dates (release and final sale date), there are other dates, the calculation of which begins immediately after the opening of a particular container. By the way, you can find them by the special icon, which shows a small circle and the flap of the open cover.
What is a batch code and how to determine the expiration date with its help?
If you believe the experts, the expiration date for the cosmetics code can be determined using the so-called batch code or batch code. As a rule, it is he who represents a set of letters and numbers. It is applied by the manufacturer directly to the packaging, but, unlike the barcode, does not contain additional graphic characters and images.
In most cases, such a code is standard and consists of 2-10 uppercase or lowercase letters and numbers, for example FGD075. According to one of the representatives of cosmetics manufacturing companies, this code makes it possible not only to find out the production date, but also to see the shift number and the name of the factory. In the event of an unforeseen situation, for example, if any defects are detected, this code allows you to identify the batch number for further withdrawal of the entire series of goods.
Despite the fact that this is seemingly official information, it will help us determine the shelf life of cosmetics by code. This is due to the fact that, in addition to the batch number, this value contains information about the month, year and even the day of production of the goods. However, not everyone can immediately decrypt such a code.
How can I decrypt a batch code?
It turns out that you can decrypt the batch code in one of three ways. The first of these is the direct appeal of the buyer to the seller. At this stage, you need to ask the store representative for an official dispatch with a code breakdown written directly by the manufacturer.
The second option: first you can decrypt and then check the expiration date of cosmetics by code using international tables or decryption applications. For example, the first digit in the Chanel brand code indicates the year of manufacture (8 - 2008, 7 - 2007, etc.). At Loreal, the year of manufacture is indicated not by numbers, but by letters (with - corresponds to 2006, e - 2008).
Another option is to decrypt all the numbers and letters included in the code, and later find out the expiration date of cosmetics by code, contacting the manufacturer directly for help. This can be done by contacting the manufacturer’s contacts indicated on the official website.
Most often, company representatives are interested in lively communication with their customers, so they prefer to answer as clearly as possible. And most importantly, they try to do it very quickly.
And finally, the last way to help answer the question: “How to find out the expiration date of cosmetics by code?”, Consists in using special resources and applications. It is on them that there are special programs that have the ability to decrypt information.
We will tell you a little more about these programs, services and applications.
What services will help decrypt the code?
Any verification of the expiration date of cosmetics by code will be much easier if you turn to specialized services during data decryption. As a rule, the program “Cosmetic Calculator” works on such sites, which allows you to find out the operating life in the online mode. Most often, to work with them you only need to enter the name of the brand of cosmetics in a special field and enter the batch code.
Moreover, after the introduction of the relevant data on them, you can not only see the primary date of production, but also instantly compare it with the expiration date valid for a particular type of cosmetics. Often such sites have a simple menu, which allows you to easily understand the notation system, even without knowledge of the English language. And besides the PC version, most of them have a mobile version for portable devices.
On other similar resources, you can not only check the expiration date of cosmetics by code, but also visually see how exactly this code looks. For third, the term for the final sale of products should be calculated independently. By the way, in addition to the terms of implementation, on similar resources there is an opportunity to check the composition of cosmetics.
Convenient mobile applications
For greater convenience, you can download a ready-made mobile application that helps you easily decrypt the code of a particular cosmetic product right in the store. Moreover, some of them are endowed with an additional “notepad” option, which allows you to not only enter information on the timing of implementation, for example, lipstick you bought, but also to monitor its freshness in the future.
There are other applications that make it possible to track the expiration date of cosmetics by barcode. As a rule, they have a scanner, which saves you from manually entering data later.
Such programs for portable devices work according to the following principle: you take a cosmetic product that you plan to scan and decrypt; enter the application; bring it to the phone at a distance of 4-5 cm. As a result, all the information appears on the screen with the decryption of the data on the bar code.
How to determine expiration date by cosmetics code: example
Let's say you purchased lipstick. Pay attention to its packaging and batch code. For example, the box shows the production date - 08/12/2008 and the final sale date - 08/12/2017. After you enter the brand information in the Cosmetic Calculator and write the code, information about your lipstick will appear.
By the way, the shelf life of lipstick is 12-24 months. Therefore, the information indicated on the packaging is not true. So, by checking the expiration date by the cosmetic code, you will protect yourself from using a low-quality product, avoid unexpected allergic reactions and maintain health.
What else can you find out with a barcode?
With it, you can find out whether the product you purchased is fake or is it genuine. To do this, you need to take the cosmetic product that you want to check, go to one of the sites that perform automatic verification, and enter the data from the barcode into the empty window.
In a word, in order to avoid health problems and protect the skin and body from the negative impact of a poor-quality product, check expiration dates more often. This is especially worth doing when participating in any promotions during which store representatives give free gifts in the form of cosmetics.