Manufacturers of cosmetics and perfumes do not display the expiration date and production date in the form familiar to consumers (day/month/year). The date is present, but it is encrypted in the form of a batch code, which is applied to the packaging; for perfumes, the batch code is additionally applied to the bottle.
There are several online services on the Internet for decrypting/checking batch codes. Which one is better/worse, which one should be trusted, which one should not, we decided to figure it out. We’ll also tell you how to identify scammers on message boards (Avito, Yula) using batch code.
Table of calculations made, with explanations and notes:
Victoria Weber
Article Editor
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Please note that none of the cosmetic calculators under consideration are officially confirmed as a standard. Not a single manufacturer confirmed that they provided anyone with data to decipher batch codes (batch codes). From October 1, 2020, MANDATORY labeling of perfumes will be introduced in the Russian Federation. Which necessarily contains the production date, expiration dates, country of origin and many other data, on the basis of which it is possible with a 99% (1% - the labeling will be faked) probability to talk about the correct dates, terms and originality. We will tell you more about this (the article is being prepared, there will be a link later).
How to extend the shelf life of mascara
If your favorite mascara begins to dry out, and you really want to extend its life, you can resort to some tricks. Please note that such manipulations can negatively affect the health of your eyes. Below are only proven recipes:
- Water.
A simple but effective way to extend the life of brasmatic is to use water. If the mascara contains paraffin, then everything is generally simple: put the tube with the coloring agent in a glass with hot liquid. If there is no paraffin in the composition, water must be added directly to the brasmatic and it is better that it be distilled. Please note that liquid can provoke the development of pathogenic organisms. Therefore, if your eyes are sensitive, such manipulations should be avoided. It makes no sense to repeat the procedure several times, since the mascara will quickly become unusable.
- Tea.
Regular black tea will help restore the consistency of dried mascara: brew it strong and sweet. The brasmatic brush must be washed and dried, then dipped into the drink. After this, use a pipette to pour a few drops of the prepared tea into the tube and leave for a while. If you guessed right with the amount of added drink, the result will be a homogeneous, long-lasting mascara with a dense consistency that will definitely please you.
- Eye makeup remover.
For these purposes, it is better to use a lotion that your skin is already familiar with. It’s good when the brand of mascara and product are the same. You can replace the lotion with a regular facial tonic. A prerequisite is that the composition does not contain alcohol. This substance makes eyelashes dull, dry and brittle, and can add redness, itching, and burning to the eyes. The lotion should be used carefully so as not to overdo it. For convenience, you can drip the toner onto a brush rather than into the bottle.
Why do you need to check the batch code?
Our purely opinion is that decoding the batch code is “complacency” about the originality of cosmetics and perfumes. The codes were invented by manufacturers for their needs to mark batches. And this is in no way an indicator that this is 100% real product. It is quite easy to fake a batch code, and choosing the right code is also not difficult. In our opinion, the code should be checked when purchasing in person. An example of perfumes from Avito shows well how the seller indicates that the product is new, but a check (for all services) showed an expired expiration date. Also, we cannot recommend any one cosmetic calculator. To be more confident, it is better to check the batch code for all services. To consolidate the information, consider another ad from Avito:
The seller writes - new eau de toilette. Cosmetic calculators indicate production date: July 9, 2014.
The water was produced in 2014! Yes, it may be new (not opened, never used), but it is better to refuse such a purchase. It is possible (subject to strict storage conditions) that the fragrance notes have been preserved, but 6 years have passed since the production date...
How to determine the authenticity of perfumes by barcode and batch code?
Dear ladies and gentlemen, the following sites for determining the authenticity of the barcode and batch code (batch number) will help you check whether your perfume is truly original.
Where is the batch code on the bottle? The batch code is either printed or stamped (pressed) on the bottom of the box and printed on an information sticker on the bottom of the bottle. Some designers prefer to print the batch code the old fashioned way directly on the glass, also at the bottom of the bottle.
Barcode verification
- https://www.labeltest.com/scodes.html
Batch code verification
- https://makeup-review.com.ua/decoder.php
- https://beauty-project.ru/calculator.html
- https://www.checkfresh.com/
To quickly check the batch code, you can also use this data:
- Arnaud - The first and second digits of the code are the year of manufacture, the 3rd and 4th are the month.
- Biotherm - The second letter of the code is the year of manufacture: c - 2006, d - 2007, e - 2008, f - 2009. The next three digits are the day.
- Bourjois - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture.
- Bvlgari - The third digit of the code is the year of manufacture, the 1st and 5th are the day, the 2nd and 4th are the month.
- CAC - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture, the first letter is the month.
- Carita - For products manufactured in France: the first letter of the code is the year of manufacture (H - 01, J - 02, K - 03, L - 04), the 2nd letter is the month (Jan-A, Feb-C, March-E , Apr-G, May-I, Jun-K, Jul-M, Aug-O, Sep-S, Oct-W, Nov-Y, Dec-Z).
- Caudalie - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture.
- Cacharel - Second letter of the code - year of manufacture: A - 2004; B - 2005; C - 2006, etc. The next three digits are the day.
- Chanel - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture.
- Christian Dior - The first digit of the code is the year of production, the 2nd letter of the code is the month: a - January, b - February, c - March, etc.
- Clarins - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture, the 2nd digit is the month.
- Clinique - The last digit of the code is the year of manufacture, the penultimate digit is the month.
- Covergirl - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture.
- Darphin - The first two digits of the code are the year of manufacture. 05 - 2005, 06 - 2006, 07 - 2007, etc.
- Decleor - The first letter of the code indicates the year: q - 2007, r - 2008, s - 2009 and so on. 4th and 5th - month in order.
- Elizabeth Arden - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture.
- Estee Lauder - The last digit of the code is the year of manufacture.
- Ferragamo - The third digit of the code is the year of manufacture, the 1st + 5th is the date, the 2nd + 4th is the month.
- Givenchy - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture.
- Giorgio Armani - The second letter of the code is the year of manufacture: A - 2004, B - 2005, C - 2006, etc. The next three digits are the day.
- Guerlain - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture, the second letter is the month (alphabetically).
- Helena Rubinstein - The second letter of the code is the year of manufacture: A - 2004, B - 2005, C - 2006, etc. The next three digits are the day.
- Isa Dora - The third digit of the code is the year of production, the first two digits are the week, the fourth and fifth are the month, the sixth digit is the year in which the expiration date expires.
- Janson - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture.
- Janssen - The first two digits are the year of production, the second two digits are the week of the year in order, the third two digits are the batch number.
- Kenzo - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture.
- Kerastase - The second letter of the code is the year of manufacture: A - 2004, B - 2005, C - 2006, etc. The next three digits are the day.
- Korff - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture.
- L'Oreal - The second letter of the code is the year of manufacture: A - 2004, B - 2005, C - 2006, etc. The next three numbers are the day.
- L'Occitane - The third letter of the code is the year of manufacture: Y - 2004, Z - 2005, A - 2006, etc.
- Lancaster - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture. The next three numbers are the day of issue.
- Lancome - The second letter of the code is the year of manufacture: A - 2004, B - 2005, C - 2006, etc. The next three digits are the day.
- La Praire - The first digit of the code is the year of manufacture, the 2nd and 3rd are the week, the 4th is the day of the week.
- Lierac - Indicated as standard.
- Lumene - Specified as standard.
- MAC - Last digit of the code - year of manufacture, second character
Where to look for the batch code (batch code)
The code is applied to the packaging and bottle of the cosmetic or perfume product. The code can consist of either a combination of letters and numbers, or numbers.
The batch code is applied to the packaging by extrusion or with a dot matrix printer:
On the left - the code is extruded. On the right - printed with a dot matrix printer.
There are three types of application on the bottle: dot matrix printer, engraving, printing on a sticker:
From left to right - engraving, printing on a sticker, printing on a bottle.
The batch code on the packaging and bottle must match; if they are different, this is a fake.
How to check the expiration date of cosmetics without batch codes
Imagine a situation - you urgently need to make sure that a cosmetic product is not expired, you cannot find a barcode or batch code on the packaging, but remember approximately when you bought the drug (you can count on the fact that the product was produced shortly before). In this case, you can set the expiration date of unopened products, focusing on the standard shelf life of drugs that belong to different categories:
- Perfume containing alcohols lasts for about five years.
- Skin care products can be used for three years after the date of manufacture. However, creams, lotions, tonics and other cosmetic products made from natural ingredients may have a much shorter shelf life.
- Sunscreens are good for use for two years.
- Liquid, cream and gel makeup products (for example, mascara) can be used for 6-36 months. Dry decorative cosmetics (powder, blush, eye shadow, bronzer) can be used for 2-5 years or longer.
However, it should be taken into account that these terms depend on many factors - the storage location, ambient temperature, the tightness of the packaging and the composition of the drug. The specified deadlines are valid only for unopened packages of goods. As soon as air and moisture begin to penetrate into the bottle or tube, a new countdown begins - the period of use of the product after opening the package. We remind you that it is indicated in the form of an open round jar at the bottom or wall of a tube of cosmetics.
How to store it correctly
The period of operation of the mascara directly depends on compliance with the conditions of use. If you care about your health and do not want to spend money on purchasing new cosmetics, then listen to the following recommendations:
- Do not place the tube in a cold or hot place. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. It is advisable to store in a dark, closed place, away from high humidity.
- Close the lid tightly to prevent excess air from entering.
An important rule is not to be afraid to throw away mascara, no matter how much it costs. The consequences of using expired goods are often serious.
What is the expiration date of perfume?
Many perfume lovers are interested in whether perfumes have an expiration date. There is a recommended lifespan of the fragrance, which is 5 years. This applies to the opened bottle! The scent may change more quickly if air gets inside the bottle. Closed vials that have not been exposed to sunlight last much longer.
Today you can find limited edition and vintage eau de toilettes on sale that were created 10-20 years ago. Their cost can be very high. When buying such eau de toilette, you need to read reviews on the Internet and find out in what conditions the vintage was stored. That is, the period recommended by the manufacturer is conditional, but in order to make sure that the perfume can be used after the expiration date, you need to carefully examine the bottle. The contents should not be cloudy or have sediment.
And we remind you: if you have any doubts and find it difficult to choose perfumes, then contact our consultants - they will be happy to help you!
Our store sells only original perfumes without any copies or replicas. We do not conduct total sales for 10% of the real cost, because quality, as we know, cannot be free.
If you have any questions related to the batch code or barcode, ask them in the comments, we will definitely try to answer!
What not to do to extend the shelf life of mascara
They tried so many different ways to revive the mascara that they couldn’t count them all. However, let us draw your attention to several popular solvents that are not recommended for use. Not only will they not help in restoring mascara, but they will also cause significant harm to the eyes.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
This medicinal product is absolutely not intended to dissolve mascara. Contact of peroxide with the mucous membrane of the eye can cause a serious burn. The result is temporary vision loss, eyelash loss and skin damage. - Saliva.
Saliva contains many microbes. By diluting mascara with it, we breed bacteria directly in the bottle. Together with cosmetics, microbes get into the eyes and can provoke the development of an infectious disease. Such diagnoses require long-term treatment. - Olive and vegetable oils.
These products are good for cooking, but are not at all suitable for dissolving mascara. When using this method of diluting mascara, there is a risk of infection on the mucous membrane of the eye. These oils make it difficult to achieve uniformity in your mascara and can result in clumps on your eyelashes. - Alcohol-containing products.
Anything that contains alcohol (alcohol, perfume, cologne) is contraindicated for dissolving mascara. This substance has a negative effect on the eyes, namely: if it comes into contact with the mucous membrane, it causes a burn. The result is irreparable damage to vision.
Now that you know all the possible methods for restoring mascara, it’s up to you to decide whether to use them or not. However, be aware of the health risks. If you still decide, choose the most convenient and safest method for yourself, and your eyes will become even more beautiful and expressive.
