Discover how to locate and understand batch codes on your cosmetics to determine their production date and ensure product freshness. This guide focuses on helping you decode batch codes, using The Ordinary as a prime example, and applies broadly to various cosmetic brands.
How to Identify Batch Codes on The Ordinary Products
To find the batch code on your The Ordinary cosmetics, look for a sequence that resembles the examples below. It’s crucial to differentiate between batch codes and other product codes, such as barcodes or item numbers.
Correct Batch Code Examples for Deciem (The Ordinary’s Parent Company):
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TFN2 – This is the correct format. You’ll find a code similar to this printed directly on The Ordinary packaging.
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1DG1 – Another correct batch code format. Look for codes like this on your product.
Alt text: Example of The Ordinary batch code “1DG1” printed on product packaging, indicating the location of the batch code.
Incorrect Examples (Not Batch Codes):
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769915193657 12-276 A-02-01 – This is a product barcode or item number, not the batch code. Avoid using long numerical sequences like this in a batch code decoder.
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769915194791 19-114-A A-04-02 – Similarly, this longer number is not the batch code. Batch codes are typically shorter and alphanumeric.
Understanding Cosmetic Batch Codes Beyond The Ordinary
While The Ordinary provides clear examples, the concept of batch codes is universal in the cosmetics industry. “Cara Scan Barcode Beauty Buffet” or “how to scan Beauty Buffet barcode” reflects a user interest in verifying product authenticity and freshness, which is achieved through batch codes. Regardless of the brand – whether it’s The Ordinary, Beauty Buffet, or any other cosmetic – manufacturers use batch codes for internal tracking and quality control. Consumers can leverage online batch code decoders to access production dates, ensuring they are using fresh and effective products.
Why Check Cosmetic Batch Codes?
Checking batch codes is essential for several reasons:
- Ensuring Freshness: Cosmetics, like all products, have a shelf life. Batch codes help you determine the production date and estimate the expiration, maximizing product efficacy and safety.
- Authenticity Verification: While batch codes primarily indicate production dates, they can indirectly assist in verifying product authenticity. If a batch code decoder doesn’t recognize a code, or if the production date seems unusually old for a product purchased recently, it could raise a red flag.
- Understanding PAO (Period After Opening): Cosmetics often have a PAO symbol (a jar icon with a number and ‘M’ for months). This indicates how long the product is safe to use after opening. Knowing the production date from the batch code complements PAO, giving a complete picture of product freshness.
Global Interest in Cosmetic Batch Code Checking
The desire to check cosmetic production dates is a global phenomenon. The table below illustrates the countries with the highest interest in checking batch codes for The Ordinary, indicating a widespread concern for cosmetic freshness and safety:
| Country | Share | Number of Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Iran | 16.85% | 172771 |
| United States | 11.08% | 113559 |
| Vietnam | 9.34% | 95790 |
| Russia | 7.81% | 80097 |
| Thailand | 3.36% | 34463 |
| Philippines | 3.36% | 34405 |
| Bangladesh | 3.29% | 33696 |
| Germany | 3.03% | 31072 |
| United Kingdom | 1.90% | 19504 |
| Malaysia | 1.85% | 19002 |
This data underscores the importance of providing accessible information on how to decode batch codes for consumers worldwide, regardless of the specific brand they use.
Trends in Batch Code Checks Over Years
Interest in checking cosmetic batch codes has fluctuated, reflecting evolving consumer awareness and purchasing habits:
| Year | Difference | Number of Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +16.73% | ~564000 |
| 2024 | +37.23% | 483149 |
| 2023 | +216.73% | 352066 |
| 2022 | – | 111158 |
The increasing trend highlights the growing need for tools and guides that simplify batch code decoding.
Understanding Cosmetic Shelf Life
Cosmetic freshness is determined by two key factors:
- Period After Opening (PAO): Represented by the open jar symbol, PAO indicates the recommended usage timeframe after the product is opened. For example, “6M” inside the jar means use within 6 months of opening.
Alt text: Period After Opening (PAO) symbol example, showing an open jar icon with “6M” inside, indicating a 6-month usage period after opening.
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Production Date: Even unopened cosmetics degrade over time. While the EU mandates expiration dates only for products with a shelf life under 30 months, most cosmetics have general guidelines:
Cosmetic Type Shelf Life (from Production) Perfumes (with alcohol) Approximately 5 years Skincare Cosmetics Minimum 3 years Makeup Cosmetics 3-5+ years (varies by type)
These are general guidelines, and actual shelf life can vary by manufacturer and product formulation. Checking the batch code remains the most reliable method for estimating the production date and ensuring you use cosmetics within their optimal freshness window.
By understanding batch codes and how to decode them, you can make informed decisions about your cosmetic purchases and usage, ensuring both product efficacy and safety.
