How to Read the Expiration Date of MAC Lipstick and How to Storage It

Each lipstick has a specific expiration date, and the manufacturer must publicly disclose this issue to meet customers’ information needs. MAC lipstick is no exception. However, the way to read MAC lipstick’s expiration date differs from that of some cosmetic brands.

Instructions for viewing the production date of MAC lipstick

Most other cosmetic brands print the expiration date with the characters EXP (expiry date) or MFG (manufacturing date), which are easy to understand and direct. However, MAC has its way of showing its production date: a 3-character code system printed directly on the product. This approach both saves space and provides complete information to consumers.

Check the production date of MAC lipstick through characters

The expiration date of MAC lipstick is shown through 3 unique characters, including:

The first character Indicates the production batch, denoted by letters (A, B, C).

The second character Indicates the production month, denoted by numbers 1 to 9 and letters A, B, and C. For example:

1 = January

2 = February

3 = March

A = October

B = November

C = December

The third character Indicates the year of manufacture.

For example, if your lipstick has the code “A17” printed on it, it means that this lipstick was produced in batch A in January 2017. Similarly, the code “AA8” would be batch A, made in October 2018.

A practical example: If you own a MAC Matte Heroine with the code A12, your lipstick is from batch A, produced in January 2012. This makes it easy to determine the lipstick’s age and see if it is still “fresh.”

Check the production date by checking the Batch Code

In addition to looking at the characters, you can also use the Batch Code to look up the production date of MAC lipstick. Each MAC product is attached with a Batch Code containing the production date and other information. Just use the Batch Code check website, for example, https://checkfresh.com/, and you will have complete information about the production date.

However, please note that checking the batch code only helps you view product information and is not a way to check whether goods are genuine or fake. The Batch Code can also be counterfeited in today’s technological era, so be careful when buying.

How long is the MAC lipstick’s shelf life?

After knowing how to check the production date, the next question is, how long is the MAC lipstick’s shelf life? According to the manufacturer’s recommendation, MAC lipstick has a maximum shelf life of 36 months (i.e., 3 years) from the date of manufacture if you have not opened the lid. However, once the lipstick has been opened, the remaining shelf life will be 12 months.

Therefore, even if the lipstick is still within its expiry date, if you leave the lid open for too long, pay attention to signs of damage, such as water leakage, changes in smell or color. These signs indicate that your lipstick is damaged and should not be used anymore.

How to properly storage MAC lipstick

Keep your lipstick in the best condition to ensure its quality. Here are some tips to help you storage a MAC lipstick effectively:

Store in the refrigerator or in a dry, cool place

Keeping lipstick in the refrigerator can help prevent it from melting and bacteria from entering. However, you should use a separate refrigerator to store cosmetics and ensure hygiene. If you do not have a separate refrigerator, keep the lipstick in a dry, cool place.

Avoid high temperatures

Lipstick is very sensitive to temperature, particularly exceptionally high temperatures. It will melt and deteriorate quickly if placed near microwaves, computers, or areas exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, avoid putting lipstick in regions with high temperatures.

If possible, store lipstick in a mini refrigerator to storage cosmetics.

Do not mix lipstick with broken or uncapped cosmetics

Each type of cosmetic has different ingredients. If lipstick comes into contact with other products, it can cause unwanted reactions, causing the lipstick to spoil faster. In particular, the lid should be permanently closed after use to avoid dust and bacteria in the air.

Limit sharing lipstick

Sharing lipstick causes the product to spoil quickly and poses a risk of bacterial infection, especially when others have respiratory or dermatological problems. Therefore, lipstick is a personal item and should not be shared.

Keep lipstick in a paper box

Although the paper box is sometimes quite inconvenient, it helps protect lipstick from the effects of light and air. Therefore, please do not rush to throw away the lipstick box after buying it; keep it to prolong the life of your lipstick.

Keep out of reach of children

MAC lipsticks are not cheap, and you don’t want your favorite lipstick to become a “toy” for naughty children. In addition, children accidentally eating or smearing lipstick everywhere can also cause a lot of trouble.

Knowing how to read the expiration date and properly storage a MAC lipstick will help you maximize the product’s lifespan and keep the lipstick in the best condition.