Decoding the common symbols in our skincare and what they mean for our routines.
So you’re bored and you’re staring at your skincare when you realize that you don’t really know what the symbols in the back mean. There’s the obvious ones that remind you to recycle after use, or the cute leaping bunny that tells you that animals were harmed to get the skincare to your hands. But what about the one with the floating lid? And why does it have a number? Worry not! We’re here to help you decode the most common symbols you might find on your skin care products.
Here’s a few of the most common symbols we saw on the back of the products we use:
Opened Jar with a number and a letter M
What it’s called: Period After Opening.
What does it mean: This symbol indicates how long the product is good for after it’s been opened. It’s usually a number accompanied by the letter M. For example, if the symbol has 6M in it, it means that the product is good for six months after you open it. If you’re worried about forgetting this, you can use a little sticker label on the lid with the expected expiration date.
Opened manual with a hand
What it’s called: Refer to Insert.
What does it mean: It means that any additional information or instructions are contained on a leaflet or booklet that’s included in the box that your skin care was in. The packaging itself will often have the main warnings while the inserts will carry any specifications that just won’t fit on the bottle. If you have any specific sensitivities, this is a must do.
A lowercase letter E
What it’s called: E-Mark.
What does it mean: It indicates that the quantity of product between each batch is the same as what is stated on the label. You can thank EU law for that, as this regulation of net quantity of product is required for any products sold in the European union. It should be noted that this doesn’t protect against any visual illusions that packaging might create, just that if your jar of cream says that it’s 100ml, you will be receiving 100ml of products.
Circle with two arrows circling each other
What it’s called: Green Dot.
What does it mean: It’s used to signal that the manufacturer pays a recovery and recycling organization to make sure that packaging waste is responsibly handled. If you’re the type of person that likes to hold companies accountable for their part of the waste production, this is the symbol to watch for. This isn’t a recycling symbol even though it looks like it should be.
A figure in a circle with three arrows pointing out
What it’s called: Triman logo.
What does it mean: According to French Decree No. 2014-1577, this is for any manufacturers who sell goods to consumers in France. It indicates that the packaging should be recycled for a more circular economy, hence the circle around the figure. It’s a reminder for the consumer to recycle properly.
Triangle made out of 3 arrow ribbons
What it’s called: Mobius Loop.
What does it mean: This symbol indicates that the container is recyclable. Recycle the packaging after you use the product all up!
Not to be confused with A Triangle Made With 3 Arrows and a Number in the Middle
What it’s called: Resin Identification Code.
What does it mean: It appears on plastic packaging and identifies what kind of the plastic material the product is made of. Not all plastics are the same, thus you can’t recycle them all the same way. Different municipal recycling programs can only handle certain types of plastics and you might need to look for an independent recycling program to take in your waste.
This is an incomplete list of symbols and for any specifics it’s important to do further research, especially since new regulations get enacted every year.
