Makeup Packaging Symbols Guide: What Those Tiny Icons Mean | Red Apple Lipstick

Ever stopped to admire the packaging of your makeup and skincare and wondered what those little printed symbols, usually on the bottom or back, actually mean? As ingredient savvy shoppers we may read every label, yet those tiny icons can still feel like a secret code.

Those makeup packaging symbols are not there just because they look cute. They communicate important information, from how long your blush or lipstick stays safe after opening to whether the packaging is recyclable or the formula is cruelty free. In many cases, these symbols appear on every cosmetic product because regulations require them.

What do the different symbols on makeup packaging mean?

Makeup packaging symbols are part of how brands communicate with you. They look like tiny illustrations, but they carry big messages about safety, shelf life, ethics, and how to dispose of the packaging. Understanding them helps you shop smarter and use every product more confidently.

You will see these icons on makeup, skincare, haircare, and almost every cosmetic product you own. Once you know what each symbol means, you can scan a component quickly and decide if a product fits your routine, your values, and your skin needs.

What does the 12M symbol on makeup mean?

One of the most common makeup packaging symbols is a small jar with its lid open and a number followed by the letter M, such as 8M, 12M, or 24M. This is the Period After Opening symbol, often shortened to PAO. It tells you how long a product is good for once you open it.

The M stands for months. If your talc free blush for sensitive skin has an open jar symbol marked 24M, that means once you open it, the blush has a shelf life of twenty four months.

These PAO symbols are especially helpful when you cannot easily find a printed expiry date. Using a product past its recommended timeframe can make it less effective and may lead to irritation or breakouts. Once your makeup crosses its suggested shelf life, it is best to recycle or discard it and replace it with something fresh that supports your skin, such as your favorite lip care for dry lips.

What does the bunny symbol on makeup mean?

There are three main bunny symbols that may appear on makeup packaging. All three point to the same message: the brand is cruelty free. If your favorite hypoallergenic mascara, lipstick, or gluten free lip gloss has one of these bunnies, you can feel confident that the finished product is not tested on animals.

The Leaping Bunny logo is an internationally recognized symbol that tells you the brand does not conduct animal testing and complies with the Leaping Bunny Program standards. This is the most widely known cruelty free symbol. Red Apple Lipstick proudly holds Leaping Bunny certification.

PETA offers two bunny related makeup packaging symbols. One confirms that the brand is cruelty free through the Beauty Without Bunnies program. The second indicates that the brand is both cruelty free and fully vegan, meaning no animal derived ingredients show up in the formulas.

The CCF bunny logo comes from Choose Cruelty Free, an independent not for profit organization based in Australia. Many United States brands, including clean eye and face products, carry this logo as another way to highlight their cruelty free status.

What does the e symbol on packaging mean?

The lowercase e symbol, often printed near the net weight, is called the Estimated sign. It appears on products sold in the European Union. This icon guarantees that the amount of product in the packaging matches the quantity listed on the label within a small permitted tolerance. In other words, you receive the volume you are paying for.

What does the hourglass symbol mean?

The hourglass symbol can look a bit like an empty wine glass, but it is another way to talk about time. Unlike the PAO jar, which starts counting once you open the product, the hourglass indicates that a product, such as your favorite Sundrop Bronzer, will last for 30 months from the date of manufacture whether you open it or not.

This symbol is helpful when you want to know how long something can sit in a backup drawer before it is best to use it or pass it along. If a product has the hourglass symbol and a PAO jar, use both together to keep track of freshness.

What does the Mobius loop symbol mean?

The Mobius loop, made of three chasing arrows, tells you that the packaging is recyclable or can enter a recycling stream in many locations. It does not always mean the material was recycled already. There are related symbols that show when packaging is made from recycled content.

Sometimes you will see the Mobius loop inside a solid circle, or with a percentage printed inside or beside it. That percentage tells you how much of the packaging comes from recycled materials. In other cases, the loop may contain a number with letters below it, which gives more detail about the type of plastic or resin used. That information helps recycling facilities sort and process the material correctly.

What does the green dot mean on packaging?

The green dot symbol is usually printed in green and white or black and white. It often gets confused with a recycling symbol, but its meaning is different. The green dot shows that the brand contributes financially to packaging recovery and recycling programs in certain countries.

Companies pay a license fee to use this symbol. That fee goes toward the systems that collect, sort, and recycle packaging materials. So while it looks like a recycling icon, it is actually about the brand supporting recycling infrastructure behind the scenes.

What does the flame symbol on packaging mean?

The open flame symbol warns that a product is highly flammable and must be kept away from candles, flames, cigarettes, and high heat, including direct sunlight. You will usually see it on products such as nail polish, nail polish remover, hairspray, and some aerosol deodorants.

If you spot this icon, store the product in a cool, dry place and keep it away from heat sources. Do not use it while smoking or near open flames.

What does the reading symbol mean?

This symbol, a hand pointing to an open book, is called Refer To Insert or sometimes Further Information. Brands use it when there is more information than can comfortably fit on the packaging itself.

When you see this icon, look for a leaflet or printed insert inside the box. It may contain important details such as full ingredient lists, instructions for use, storage tips, or allergy guidance. For ingredient deep dives you can also visit the always updated Red Apple Lipstick ingredients list before you add a new product to your routine.

Try not to throw away these leaflets without giving them a quick read. They often answer questions you may have later about your mascara, talc free eyeshadows, custom eye shadow palettes, and more.

Symbols you will find on Red Apple Lipstick products

Gluten free symbol

Every Red Apple product is 100 percent gluten free from source to finish. That includes the raw ingredients, our manufacturing process, and the final product. There is no gluten and no cross contamination, which makes our makeup a smart choice for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

You will see gluten free messaging alongside ingredient transparency so you can feel confident about everything from your hydrating lipsticks to your talc free blush and sensitive eye safe shadows.

Vegan symbol

Each Red Apple product is fully vegan. That means no animal or animal derived ingredients in any formula. We are also cruelty free, so neither ingredients nor finished products are tested on animals, either by us or by our suppliers. Our Leaping Bunny logo makes that commitment easy to spot at a glance.

To build a comfortable, cruelty free routine, start with Lip Exfoliate, follow with Rallye Balm, apply your favorite hydrating lipstick with a precise vegan lip brush, and add dimension with a creamy lip pencil if you like defined edges.

FAQs

Do all countries use the same makeup packaging symbols?

Many symbols, such as PAO jars, bunny logos, the Mobius loop, the green dot, and the flame icon, are widely recognized across regions. Some symbols, like the estimated e, are specific to certain markets such as the European Union, so you may not see every icon on every product.

Where should I look for PAO or expiry symbols on my products?

Check the back, bottom, or side of the tube, bottle, or box. PAO jars and hourglass icons often sit near the ingredient list or barcode. When in doubt, look over the outer carton before recycling it, especially for products like eye primer, gluten free eyeliner, and mascara.

What if my product smells or looks different before the PAO time is up?

If a product changes in smell, texture, or color, or if it causes irritation, it is safest to stop using it even if it is still within the printed timeframe. Discontinue use, recycle what you can, and replace it with a fresh item that your skin loves.

How often should I check my makeup bag for expired products?

A quick check every few months works well for most people. Pay extra attention to products used near the eyes, such as mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadows, and to cream products like lipsticks and glosses. Toss anything past its PAO or that seems off.

How can I quickly spot Red Apple products that match my needs?

Look for the gluten free and vegan cues along with the Leaping Bunny logo on packaging. Then choose the formulas that fit your routine, such as hydrating lipsticks for dry lips, talc free blush, vegan brushes, and lipstick samples if you want to test shades first.

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