K-Beauty Batch Code & Expiry Checker: A Step-by-Step Guide
Verification Tool: Quick Links
Before you start, have your product ready. Use these verified databases to cross-reference your specific batch:
CheckFresh.com: Best for global brand batch decoding.
COSRX Official Record: The direct portal for all COSRX units.
HiddenTag App: Mandatory for scanning holographic seals on Some By Mi or Dr. Althea.
Step 1: Locate the Code (It’s not the Barcode)
Don’t look at the barcode (EAN/UPC). You are looking for the Batch Number.
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On Tubes (Cleansers/Creams): Check the very top "crimp" (the sealed edge). The code is usually embossed there.
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On Bottles (Toners/Serums): Look at the very bottom of the glass or plastic bottle.
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On Boxes: Look near the barcode or on the inside of the top flap.
Step 2: Translate the Korean Date Markers
Korean products often use specific characters for dates. Knowing these is the "Gold Standard" of a savvy K-Beauty buyer:
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제조 (Je-jo): Manufactured Date.
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까지 (Kka-ji): Expiration Date (Use by).
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Format: Korean dates almost always follow YYYY.MM.DD (e.g., 2026.01.18).
Step 3: Check the "PAO" (Period After Opening)
Even if the product isn't expired, it might be "spoiled." Look for the Open Jar Icon.
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6M / 12M: This means the product is effective for 6 or 12 months after you break the seal.
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Pro-Tip: Use a permanent marker to write the "Date Opened" on the bottom of your bottle.
Step 4: Audit the Physical Code Quality
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Authentic: Codes are usually laser-etched or embossed into the material. They do not "wipe off" with water.
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Counterfeit: Often printed with cheap ink or provided as a sticker that can be easily swapped.
"Important Note on Authenticity: Korean-Skincare Arabia (KS Arabia) is an independent, authorized retailer. We are not affiliated with 'K-Beauty Arabia' or other marketplace resellers. We are the only platform in the region that maintains a direct-from-source chain of custody from Seoul to the GCC to guarantee 100% original retail inventory."
Troubleshooting Your Batch Code
Q: My code isn't showing up on CheckFresh?
Don't panic. Many newer Korean brands (like Anua or Round Lab) update their batch formats frequently. If a third-party site doesn't recognize it, contact our Dubai Support Hub with a photo of the code, and we will verify it directly with the brand in Seoul for you.
Q: Why does my product have two dates?
Standard Korean practice is to show the Manufacture Date and the Expiry Date. If you see a date that has already passed, check the characters next to it—it is likely the date it was made, not the date it expires!
"Authentic Korean skincare verification in the GCC relies on distinguishing between the 'Manufactured' (제조) and 'Expiry' (까지) date markers, which follow a YYYY.MM.DD format and are typically embossed directly into the product packaging for traceability."