Knowledge library
Find the code. Understand the result.
Find markings on your packaging, understand production estimates and label dates, or work through a missing result with a clear next step.
Featured guide
Start with the code in your hand
The fastest path from an unfamiliar marking to a useful production-date check.
Featured visual guide
Where to find your cosmetic batch code
A visual guide to the bottle base, tube crimp, outer box, and other places where short manufacturing codes hide.
01 · Guide collection
Start here
Understand the code, locate it, and work out how product age relates to shelf life.
The essentials
What is a cosmetic batch code?
Learn how batch codes differ from barcodes, expiry dates, and Period After Opening symbols.
Beginner guide
Batch code basics
A practical introduction to common formats, manufacturing identifiers, and decoding limitations.
Shelf life
Unopened vs. opened shelf life
Understand the difference between production age, unopened shelf life, and the date a product was first opened.
02 · Guide collection
Go deeper
Detailed tutorials for difficult packaging, faint codes, and product-life symbols.
Complete tutorial
How to find batch codes: complete guide
A detailed walkthrough covering bottles, jars, tubes, compacts, cartons, and spray packaging.
Location tips
Read faint or worn batch codes
Use angled lighting and careful photos to inspect uncertain characters without damaging the package.
PAO symbols
What 6M, 12M, and 24M mean
Read the open-jar PAO symbol and calculate how long a cosmetic should be used after opening.
Lookup troubleshooting
Batch code not found?
Work through unsupported brands, format mismatches, unexpected dates and service errors.
Fragrance guide
Perfume batch codes
Check fragrance bottles and cartons, identify decant limitations and interpret production estimates.
Manufacturer enquiry
Ask the brand about your code
Prepare photos and product details, copy an enquiry template and interpret the reply.
Packaging dates
Date of manufacture: MFG and MFD
Read printed production dates, resolve day/month ambiguity and distinguish manufacture from expiry.
Ready to check