How Long Do RMS Products Last?

When it comes to beauty products, the clock starts ticking the moment you open a jar, tube, or bottle. But how long do you really have before your favorite concealer, mascara, or lip oil goes bad?

Enter: PAO and Shelf Life—two important but often misunderstood markers of a product’s longevity.

Let’s break down what each one means, how they differ, and exactly how long every RMS Beauty product lasts.

What Is PAO?

PAO stands for Period After Opening. It tells you how long a product is safe and effective to use after you first open it. Look for the little jar symbol on your packaging with a number inside—like “12M”—which means 12 months.

Once the product is exposed to air (and your fingers or tools), that PAO countdown begins. Using a product past its PAO can lead to less-than-stellar performance—or worse, irritation.

What Is Shelf Life?

Shelf Life is how long a product lasts unopened, sitting pretty on your shelf or in our warehouse. It’s determined by stability testing and tells you how long the formula maintains safety, quality, and effectiveness without being opened.

In short:

• Shelf Life = unopened

• PAO = opened

Both are crucial to keep in mind—but especially PAO once your product is in use.

RMS Beauty Product PAO + Shelf Life Chart

Here’s a breakdown of RMS products, along with their PAO and Shelf Life.

Eyes

• Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow — PAO: 6 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Cashmere Matte Eyelights — PAO: 6 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Straight Up Volumizing Peptide Mascara — PAO: 6 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Straight Line Kohl Eye Pencil — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Back2Brow Pencil — PAO: 24 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Back2Brow Powder — PAO: 24 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

Face

• ReEvolve Natural Finish Liquid Foundation — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• ReEvolve Radiance Locking Primer — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• UnCoverup Concealer — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Luminizer — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush — PAO: 24 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• ReDimension Hydra Dew Luminizer — PAO: 24 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• ReDimension Hydra Bronzer — PAO: 24 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• SunCoverup Super Tint SPF 50 — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 24 months (**Look for the expiration date on your bottle and be sure to toss once it hits the expiration date, regardless of when you opened it.)

Lips

• Legendary Lip Oil — PAO: 6 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Lip2Cheek — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Wild With Desire Lipstick — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Go Nude Lip Pencil — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Tinted Daily Lip Balm — PAO: 6 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Liplights Cream Lip Gloss — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Legendary Serum Lipstick — PAO: 12 months

Skincare

• Kakadu Clean Cleansing Gel — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Coconut Clean Cleansing Balm — PAO: 12 months 

• Kakadu Beauty Oil — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• SuperSerum Hydrating Mist — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• Kakadu Luxe Cream — PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 36 months

• SuperNatural Radiance Serum SPF 30 - PAO: 12 months / Shelf Life: 24 months 
  • (**Look for the expiration date on your bottle and be sure to toss once it hits the expiration date, regardless of when you opened it.)

Pro Tips for Maximizing Product Life

• Store smart: Keep products in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and humidity.

• Close it tight: Always reseal caps, lids, and pumps to limit air exposure.

• Clean tools: Dirty brushes and fingers introduce bacteria that can shorten product life.

• Toss if it smells off: Changes in texture, smell, or color = time to say goodbye.

Knowing your products' PAO and Shelf Life means you can use them more confidently—and toss them when it’s time. Clean beauty is all about consciousness, and that includes keeping your routine fresh (literally).

Need to refresh your RMS faves? Shop bestsellers →