If you’ve purchased a skincare product from The Ordinary, you may be wondering how long it will last once opened since the expiration date is important for both safety and effectiveness.
In this blog post, we will discuss The Ordinary expiration dates. I’ve also created a handy downloadable PDF printable that lists the shelf life of all The Ordinary products.
I’ll also provide helpful tips on how to store your The Ordinary products correctly so they last longer and provide maximum effectiveness.
By learning about The Ordinary expiration dates, you can ensure that you always have fresh products available for your skincare routine.
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The Ordinary Expiration Dates
The good news is that you don’t have to hunt around for the expiration dates of The Ordinary products.
For most The Ordinary products, the product bottle, tube, or container, as well as the box (if it comes in a box), will have a PAO symbol.
The PAO (period after opening) symbol is a small jar with an open lid found on the back of cosmetic products.
On the jar symbol is a number followed by ‘M’ (i.e., 12M), which indicates the number of months (shelf life) the product is safe to use after opening for the first time.
The shelf life of The Ordinary products ranges anywhere from 3 months for their retinoids to 12 months for other products.
I reached out to The Ordinary about the shelf life of their unopened products:
- They said that the shelf life of their products is 3 years from the date manufactured when unopened. If you’ve had your unopened The Ordinary product for a while and want to learn the manufacture date of your product, you can reach out to The Ordinary here.
- Once opened, refer to the PAO symbol discussed above to find the product’s shelf life or refer to the list or PDF in this post.
If you check The Ordinary’s website FAQ, they say this about expiry dates:
“…the shelf life is three years when unopened and stored at room temperature. This is the regulatory threshold for testing. Upon opening, please refer to the period-after-opening (PAO) symbol to identify the lifetime of the product.”
The Ordinary FAQ Page
Some The Ordinary products, like The Ordinary retinoids, should be refrigerated after opening to maximize their shelf life, so be sure to read product instructions to get the most out of your The Ordinary product.
There are a few The Ordinary products that don’t have the PAO symbol but rather have expiration dates.
- 100% Niacinamide Powder
- Salicylic Acid 2% Solution*
- Mineral UV Filters SPF 15 with Antioxidants
- Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants**
* The Ordinary’s website says to check the expiration date on the product, but my bottle of Salicylic Acid 2% Solution has a PAO symbol that says 12 months after opening.
** I recently repurchased Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants (spring 2023), and here are the expiration dates on the box and the tube:
Here is a list of the rest of The Ordinary products and their PAO time frames:
The Ordinary Antioxidants
| Product Name | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| EUK 134 0.1% | 6 months after opening |
| Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% | 6 months after opening |
| Pycnogenol 5% | 6 months after opening |
The Ordinary Cleansers
| Product Name | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Glucoside Foaming Cleanser | 12 months after opening |
| Glycolipid Cream Cleanser | 12 months after opening |
| Squalane Cleanser | 6 months after opening |
The Ordinary Direct Acids
| Product Name | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution | 12 months after opening |
| Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% | 12 months after opening |
| Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution | 12 months after opening |
| Lactic Acid 5% + HA | 12 months after opening |
| Lactic Acid 10% + HA | 12 months after opening |
| Mandelic Acid 10% + HA | 12 months after opening |
| Salicylic Acid 2% Masque | 12 months after opening |
| Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution | 6 months after opening |
| Salicylic Acid 2% Solution | Refer to expiration date on product |
The Ordinary Hair Care
| Product Name | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner | 12 months after opening |
| Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density | 12 months after opening |
| Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair | 12 months after opening |
The Ordinary Hydrators and Oils
| Product Name | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| “B” Oil | 6 months after opening |
| 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil | 6 months after opening |
| 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil | 6 months after opening |
| 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil | 6 months after opening |
| 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil | 6 months after opening |
| 100% Organic Virgin Chia Seed Oil | 6 months after opening |
| 100% Organic Virgin Sea-Buckthorn Fruit Oil | 6 months after opening |
| 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalane | 6 months after opening |
| 100% Plant-Derived Squalane | 6 months after opening |
| Amino Acids + B5 | 12 months after opening |
| Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 | 12 months after opening |
| Marine Hyaluronics | 12 months after opening |
| Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA | 12 months after opening |
| Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides | 12 months after opening |
The Ordinary More Molecules
| Product Name | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| 100% Niacinamide Powder | Refer to expiration date on product |
| Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution | 12 months after opening |
| Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA | 12 months after opening |
| Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG | 12 months after opening |
| Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | 12 months after opening |
The Ordinary Peptides
| Product Name | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% | 6 months after opening |
| Argireline Solution 10% | 12 months after opening |
| Matrixyl 10% + HA | 12 months after opening |
| Multi-Peptide + HA Serum | 12 months after opening |
| Multi-Peptide Eye Serum | 6 months after opening |
| Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum | 6 months after opening |
The Ordinary Retinoids
| Product Name | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion | 3 months after opening |
| Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane | 3 months after opening |
| Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | 3 months after opening |
| Retinol 0.2% in Squalane | 3 months after opening |
| Retinol 0.5% in Squalane | 3 months after opening |
| Retinol 1% in Squalane | 3 months after opening |
The Ordinary Sun Care / Sunscreens
| Product Name | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Mineral UV Filters SPF 15 with Antioxidants | Refer to expiration date on product box |
| Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants | Refer to expiration date on product box |
The Ordinary Vitamin C
| Product Name | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder | 6 months after opening |
| Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% | 6 months after opening |
| Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% | 6 months after opening |
| Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F | 6 months after opening |
| Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution | 6 months after opening |
| Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% | 6 months after opening |
| Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% | 6 months after opening |
| Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone | 6 months after opening |
The Ordinary Expiration Dates PDF
If you want an easy-to-reference table that contains a list of all of The Ordinary expiry dates in alphabetical order, you can download this handy printable PDF below:
Helpful Tips for Storing Your Ordinary Products
- Store Properly: Keep skincare products in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat, as these factors can affect the product’s shelf life. Note that some The Ordinary products, like their retinoids, should be refrigerated after opening.
- Keep It Clean: Always use clean hands or applicators when using skincare products to prevent contamination with bacteria, which can cause products to spoil faster.
- Trust Your Senses: If a product smells strange, changes color (especially pure vitamin C products), or has an altered texture, it may be expired and should not be used.
- Track Your Inventory: If you really want to get organized, make a note of when you open a product to help you remember when it’s time to replace it and avoid using an expired product.
- Prioritize Usage: Use older products before newer ones, and finish one product before opening another of the same type. I know this is common sense, but it can’t hurt as a reminder!
- Buy Smaller Sizes: If possible, opt for smaller sizes of products that contain active ingredients with shorter shelf lives to ensure you use them up before they expire.
- When In Doubt, Toss It Out: Using expired skincare products can cause skin irritation or infection, so it’s better to be safe than sorry and discard any questionable products that may be spoiled.
The Bottom Line
The Ordinary Expiration Dates (with PDF) can help you understand when to replace or discard products in your skincare routine, so you can keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
Remember, after opening your The Ordinary product, check the bottle, tube, or other packaging for its PAO symbol so you’ll know when you should finish the product to get the best results.
Thanks for reading!
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Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!