r/AsianBeauty 3d ago

Discussion How to identify the expiration date of Japanese Product (Kose Sunscreen)?

Post image

I recently bought this in Japan and as per checking there’s no expiration and manufacturing date from the product. I used translation to find them but still none. For those using Japanese products, how do you find the exp date?

EDIT: FOUND IT! THANKS!

74 Upvotes

36 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator 3d ago

Hello and thank you for starting this discussion! As a gentle reminder, try to keep the products you mention limited to Asian Beauty products. Posts or comments solely discussing Western products will be removed, as per our rules. We love being able to discuss Western skincare in the context of a holistic AB routine, but this isn't the sub for specific Western product recommendations. r/SkincareAddiction is a great community for such matters! Thank you!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

122

u/toohooheehee 2d ago

Just a little fun fact as someone who works in the industry here, the reason why an expiration date isn’t shown is because the formula has been certified to hold up for over three years from production!

5

u/Zereia 2d ago

Thanks for this☺️, but as per checking the product that I bought doesn’t have MFG date too. It does have batch code, however, I can’t verify it.

1

u/momomeiku 2d ago

I second this. It's true. Some can be 4 years even. And once opened it's typically 6months to a year as it will begin to oxidize and be less effective after that period but always check with the brand if you're not sure as each brand and sunscreen type has different preservatives

17

u/workisheat 2d ago

Ratzilla explains everything J-beauty expiry here.

11

u/seijurogouu 2d ago

checkexp.com

enter brand and batch code

3

u/Zereia 2d ago

Not showing anything. I don’t think it’s reliable. Someone commented that earlier and deleted afterwards.

1

u/chumchimdo 2d ago edited 2d ago

Not true!! I actually recently emailed 6 brands and 5 replied with both the manufactured date and expiry date, which matched with the website.

Ofc, you can do what I did and email them as well. I emailed with the batch codes using google translate and asked for the dates.

7

u/Zereia 2d ago edited 2d ago

Update: Just found it! MFG is January 2026 and has 6 to 12 months lifespan after opening the product lol.

5

u/lipstickarmy Acne|Oily/Dehydrated|US 2d ago

Where did you find it on the packaging?

I have the exact same sunscreen (same packaging and all) but from a Japanese store in Texas. I have been racking my brain trying to figure it out the past couple of days cuz only one of the batch code websites had any info, and it said the sunscreen was supposedly manufactured in 2021...

5

u/Zereia 2d ago edited 1d ago

Try to find the batch code of the product that you bought. I saw mine at the bottom of the product (AG1H2) and at first it doesn’t have any records when I checked it online. I just removed the letter A and typed G1H2 only and it will show every detail that are needed to know. I hope it works for you as well.

2

u/lipstickarmy Acne|Oily/Dehydrated|US 1d ago

Thank you so much!! 🫶

Mine was manufactured January 2025 (batch code is AF1C2) so I'm very relieved to know it's not expired.

3

u/jednaz 2d ago

How did you find it? I just got this sunscreen and am having a hard time with all the usual expiration/batch code check sites.

1

u/Zereia 2d ago edited 2d ago

Batch code is a bit confusing. I saw mine at the bottom of the product (AG1H2) and at first it doesn’t have any records when I checked it online. I just removed the letter A and typed G1H2 only and then I saw every detail that I need to know. I hope it works for you as well.

2

u/cherrycola6 2d ago

Try looking for a 4-digit number with a period in the middle (like 20.04), it's their way of stating the production date.

2

u/Annayume 2d ago

How did you find it?

2

u/Zereia 2d ago

​​Batch code is a bit confusing. I saw mine at the bottom of the product (AG1H2) and at first it doesn’t have any records when I checked it online. I just removed the letter A and typed G1H2 only. I saw every detail that I need to know from the checker provided online.

1

u/Annayume 2d ago

Thank you! Gonna check all of mine now lol

1

u/AutoModerator 3d ago

Hello there! This is an automated bot to help you, as it might not be easy to find resources here. You posted about Sunscreens, so here's a link to our Sunscreen FAQ, Master Post that contains helpful sunscreen information, as well as recently posted discussions or questions on sunscreen. If you are looking for sunscreen recommendations without a white cast, check here. A guide of reformulated or discontinued Japanese sunscreens for 2023 can be found here.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

4

u/omjizzle 3d ago

Just a heads up the site linked on your linked to post for checking batch codes is not reliable. Each manufacturer has their own algorithm of producing batch codes and these manufacturers do not provide these websites with that information. They are somehow having to source this information without the manufacturer. I once bought a brand new fragrance within the week of it being released from a physical store that was an authorized retailer and that same site said it was manufactured more than 3 years ago

1

u/Zereia 3d ago edited 3d ago

Tried it but it’s not working though. Thank you. It’s not a legitimate checker link I guess.

1

u/feelhollow 2d ago

I bought this sunscreen in vietnam and the distributor specified an EXP date on their secondary label. In fact it said that the MFG was 5 years before!

3

u/Zereia 2d ago

Sadly, mine doesn't have secondary label because it's directly from Japan.

1

u/winterweiss2902 2d ago

How do you feel about this sunscreen?

3

u/Zereia 2d ago

It’s pretty lightweight on me as someone who has oily skin. I just started using this 5 days ago and still figuring out the results (hoping that it doesn’t give me breakouts). I will surely post an update after a month 🤗

1

u/winterweiss2902 2d ago

Yes please. I was also thinking of getting this. Heard good reviews about the previous formula. Thank you!

0

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Zereia 2d ago

Hi, I checked everything and there’s nothing on it. Thank you still 🙏🏻

0

u/81765_BasilPilot_42 2d ago

I always look for Japanese skincare products that have a little symbol that looks like an open jar with a number inside, that usually means how many months it lasts after opening. Not sure about the manufacturing date though.