Where is the batch code on a perfume bottle or a cosmetic product?

A batch code is a short combination of 3 to 8 letters and digits. It is laser-etched under the glass, ink-jetted on the base, or embossed under the box flap. It is not the 13-digit barcode: the EAN identifies the product on a shelf, the batch code identifies when it was made.

How do I check how old a cosmetic is from its batch code?

Find the 3 to 8 character code under the bottle or under the box flap, then type or scan it into CosmeScan. The tool calculates the manufacturing month, the age of the formula and the remaining shelf life, across 4,155 brands. The decoding runs in your browser, no photo is sent to a server.

How do I read a Dior, Chanel, Guerlain or L'Oréal batch code?

At LVMH (Dior, Guerlain, Givenchy) the code is 4 characters, for example 4B01. The first one is the last digit of the year, the second is the month with the letter I skipped (A is January, B is February). At L'Oréal (Lancôme, YSL, CeraVe) the third letter of a 6 character code carries the year: 38Z401, with X for 2024, Y for 2025 and Z for 2026. At Estée Lauder (MAC, Tom Ford) it is the third digit of a 3 character code, for example AB5. Every house has its own rule, and some do not decode publicly.

How can I tell if a perfume has gone off?

A perfume does not turn all at once like food. Its top notes oxidise with air, light and heat. CosmeScan sorts freshness into three states: fresh under 24 months, watch between 24 and 36 months, past it beyond 36 months. Three years after opening, citrus fades and the alcohol can turn. The little jar symbol on the label gives the exact figure for your product.

What is the ten-year batch code cycle?

The big houses reuse their sequences every ten years: 9P01 can mean February 2019 or February 2009. The vintage mode in CosmeScan switches between a current bottle and a collector from the 2010s. When two dates remain possible, CosmeScan shows the result as ambiguous instead of picking one at random.

How do I reassure a buyer about the freshness of a perfume I am selling?

CosmeScan generates a 1080 × 1080 dating card with the batch code, the manufacturing date calculated from that code and a verification link. The link takes the buyer back to the brand page and to any recall on record. The card is built for a Vinted, eBay, Leboncoin, Vestiaire or Mercari listing. It documents the dating, it is not an expert appraisal and it does not establish authenticity.

Estée Lauder Companies • Artistry Makeup

MAC Cosmetics Batch Code & Freshness Decoder

Free MAC Cosmetics batch code decoder (AB3 or A92 (3 chars), Estée Lauder Companies). Check exact manufacturing date, 12M PAO shelf life, and EU Safety Gate recalls on CosmeScan.

Quick MAC Cosmetics Batch Verification

Decode Batch Code

Bought a second-hand MAC Cosmetics bottle and suspect a counterfeit? Run a free 5-photo AI Legit Check (nozzle orifice, collar crimp, glass base, batch engraving).

📸 Free AI Legit Check →

MAC Cosmetics Technical Decoding Rules

Batch Code Format	`AB3 or A92 (3 chars)`
Code Location	Bottom sticker of bullet lipstick/foundation or box flap
Period After Opening (PAO)	12 months
Unopened Shelf Life	36 months

⚠️ Decennial Batch Cycle (Vintage Mode) : MAC Cosmetics recycles its batch codes every 10 years. CosmeScan includes a 1-tap Vintage Mode switch.

MAC Cosmetics Batch Code Decoding Examples by Year (2026 / 2025 / 2024)

Batch Code	Year	Status (36M Unopened)
`A16`	2026	✓ Fresh (Valid until 2029)
`A25`	2025	✓ Fresh (Valid until 2028)
`A34`	2024	⚠ Check PAO (Valid until 2027)
`A12`	2022	✕ Past 36M Unopened Window

FAQ Answer-First — MAC Cosmetics

Where is the batch code located on a MAC Cosmetics bottle or box?

For MAC Cosmetics (Estée Lauder Companies), the batch code is typically located here: Bottom sticker of bullet lipstick/foundation or box flap. It is distinct from the 13-digit EAN barcode.

What is the format of a MAC Cosmetics batch code and how to decode it in 2026?

MAC Cosmetics batch codes follow the format AB3 or A92 (3 chars) (e.g., A16 for 2026 production, A25 for 2025). Enter or scan this code on CosmeScan to decode the exact production month and year.

Does MAC Cosmetics expire and what is the shelf life of its cosmetics and perfumes?

Yes, MAC Cosmetics products do expire. Unopened, they remain fresh for approximately 36 months from the manufacturing date decoded from the batch code, and for 12 months after opening indicated by the PAO jar symbol.

How to check if a MAC Cosmetics perfume or cosmetic is authentic and spot counterfeits?

To verify MAC Cosmetics authenticity: (1) The batch code stamped on the bottle must match the packaging (AB3 or A92 (3 chars)), (2) The machine crimp collar of the spray nozzle must be clean and unblemished, (3) Run a free CosmeScan audit to verify the production timeline and cross-check known cloned serials.