Most skincare products, including Beauty of Joseon, have two important dates: an expiry or best-before date for the unopened product, and a period-after-opening (PAO) that tells you how long it stays at its best once opened. The PAO is shown as a small open-jar symbol with a number and “M”, such as 12M, meaning 12 months. Store products away from heat and direct sunlight, keep lids closed, and replace anything that changes in smell, colour or texture.
How to read the labels
Expiry or manufacturing date
Many products show an expiry date (EXP) or a manufacturing date (MFG) along with a batch number. Formats vary; Korean products often print dates as year, month, day. If only a manufacturing date is shown, the packaging or the brand’s guidance usually indicates the shelf life.
PAO symbol
The open-jar symbol with a number such as 6M or 12M is the period after opening. Write the date you open each product on the bottom with a marker, so you do not have to guess later.
General storage rules
- Keep it cool and dry. Room temperature is fine for most products. Avoid hot bathrooms near the shower, sunny windowsills and car dashboards.
- Keep lids tightly closed to reduce air and moisture exposure.
- Use clean hands or a spatula for jars.
- Do not add water to products.
- Avoid extreme cold, like leaving products in a car during a Canadian winter cold snap.
Product-by-product tips
| Product type | Examples | Storage tips |
|---|---|---|
| Sunscreen | Relief Sun, Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh, Matte Sun Stick | Do not leave in a hot car or in direct sun at the beach; replace if past date |
| Vitamin C serum | Light On Serum | Away from light and heat; watch for colour change |
| Serums | Glow Serum, Glow Deep Serum, Revive Serum | Close dropper tightly; avoid touching the dropper to skin |
| Retinoid | Revive Eye Serum | Away from light and heat |
| Jar cream | Dynasty Cream, Red Bean Water Gel | Clean fingers or spatula; close after each use |
| Cleansing balm | Radiance Cleansing Balm | Keep water out; use spatula |
| Cleansing oil | Ginseng Cleansing Oil | Keep pump clean; avoid water getting inside |
Why sunscreen dates matter most
Sunscreen is the product where expiry matters most, because UV filters can become less effective over time and with heat exposure. If your sunscreen is past its date, has separated, or has been left in a hot car for long periods, it is safest to replace it. Read more about sun protection habits in our winter sunscreen guide.
Signs a product has gone off
- Smell change: sour, rancid or simply “different”.
- Colour change: especially darkening in vitamin C serums.
- Texture change: separation that does not mix back, graininess, or watery consistency.
- New irritation from a product you previously tolerated.
- Visible mould or spots in jars.
When in doubt, throw it out. Using a spoiled product can lead to irritation.
Should you refrigerate skincare?
It is not usually necessary unless the label says so. A cool, dark cabinet works for most products. Some people like a chilled gel or eye product for the cooling feel, but avoid large temperature swings and condensation, which can introduce moisture.
Travelling with skincare
Keep products in a pouch, out of direct sun, and avoid leaving them in a hot car or freezing trunk. For airport rules and tips, see our travel kit guide.
How to make products last until the end
- Buy one serum at a time instead of several at once.
- Use the right amount: a few drops of serum, a pea-to-almond amount of moisturizer.
- Rotate seasonal products thoughtfully; for example, use Red Bean Water Gel in summer and Dynasty Cream in winter, and note opening dates on both.
Buying fresh stock
Products from reputable sellers are more likely to have been stored properly. Very old stock or products with missing batch codes are a warning sign (see how to spot fakes).
A simple bathroom-shelf audit
Every few months, take five minutes to check your products:
- Look for the opening date you wrote on each product.
- Compare it with the PAO symbol.
- Check the smell, colour and texture.
- Wipe dropper tips, pumps and jar rims with a clean tissue.
- Throw away anything expired, changed or that you no longer use.
This habit keeps your routine fresh, frees up space, and helps you notice which products you actually reach for, which is useful the next time you shop.
Where to buy in Canada
Find details and current Canadian buying options on our product pages, including Relief Sun, Light On Serum and Dynasty Cream.
FAQ
What does 12M mean on my product?
It is the period after opening: the product is best used within 12 months after you open it.
Can I use sunscreen from last summer?
Check the expiry date and the PAO. If it is past either, has changed in texture, or was stored in heat, replace it.
Does my Light On Serum need the fridge?
Not unless the label says so. Store it away from light and heat, and watch for colour changes.
Do unopened products last forever?
No. Unopened products also have a shelf life, usually shown as an expiry or manufacturing date.