What is the open cylinder logo/marking at the back of cosmetic products?

Like in hand creams, where at the back, you have an open cylinder, with a number inside it, like ';12M';. What is this symbol for. Its usually found next to the quantity (like 50 ml).What is the open cylinder logo/marking at the back of cosmetic products?
i'd take a guess at, use within 12months of opening.





i say this because cosmetic products have proservatives and they don't tend to last very long, so once they go you are putting bad bacteria on to yourself.What is the open cylinder logo/marking at the back of cosmetic products?
its the best before date after the product has been opened.





This is because everytime it is opened bacteria gets into it and eventually this stops the product from doing what it says it does. It wont harm you to use products after this date but they just wont be as effective
Hi this tells you how may months it will stay fresh for, So as soon as you open it it will be ok to use for as many months as it says on the symbol with the pot open. A few years ago they didnt have best before dates on. But after a while you find the creams or whatever go a different colour or smell different this is because they have gone of.So they but these on so you know.
It is telling you the expiry date for example if it has a 12 in it. you ust use it within 12 months of opening.


Like the use by date on food really.