A perfume has a lifespan. A perfume’s lifespan can last many years, if not decades, but as such, the fragrance can vary and alter its original composition because it is composed of ingredients that can degrade over time.
Perfume is a precious commodity and deserves careful preservation to preserve its quality and fragrance intensity.
Perfumes alter over time
The quality and persistence of a perfume also depends on its age.
Perfumes have an expiration date of approximately 3-5 years from the production date, which is usually indicated on the product batch, although the expiration date is not explicitly indicated on all packaging.
Once opened, a perfume should be consumed within a variable period of time, ranging from 12 to 36 months.
However, if properly protected, a fragrance can last for many years in its original packaging. Therefore, it is possible that the change stems from how we stored the bottle and, indirectly, the liquid inside. In fact, the perfume does not evolve while it is inside its bottle, provided it is stored correctly.
The actual, qualitative expiration date of a perfume can vary depending on several factors, such as the quality of the ingredients, the storage method, and whether the perfume has been opened or not.
An altered fragrance can be recognized by some obvious signs that indicate it is no longer in its best condition:
– Color change. If the perfume’s color becomes darker or duller, it may indicate that some ingredients have oxidized.
– Change in odor. An obvious sign is a change in aroma. If you notice that the fragrance has a sour or metallic odor, it’s likely spoiled.
– Change in consistency. If the liquid appears thicker or grainier, deterioration may have begun.
The deterioration of a fragrance isn’t sudden; the process is gradual, and what matters is how it’s stored.
Incorrect storage can irreparably compromise the composition of the fragrance, altering its olfactory notes.
This is why it’s essential to know how to store, where to store, and how to store your favorite perfumes to keep them intact for as long as possible.
How can we best preserve our perfumes?
Preserving perfume is therefore extremely important to be able to enjoy the fragrance for a long time and a few small tricks can help in this regard.
1. Store perfumes in the dark: light, especially sunlight, can degrade perfume ingredients. It’s always best to keep them in their original packaging, in a closed space, in a cabinet, or in a dark place.
2. Keep perfume in a cool, dry place: heat and humidity can accelerate the oxidation process. Avoid storing perfume in the bathroom, where humidity is high.
3. Store perfume at a constant temperature. Temperature affects the chemical structure of the perfume, as it can cause changes and affect/spoil the olfactory response. If the temperature is too low or too high, the fragrance will not react well.
4. Always close the cap: Oxygen can negatively affect the fragrance’s longevity. Make sure to always close the bottle cap after use and avoid opening and closing the bottle too frequently. This is why many brands use unopenable bottle designs, which only allow the fragrance to be sprayed, not poured.
How to avoid wasting perfume
Perfume is a precious commodity and must be carefully preserved to maintain its quality and fragrance intensity and avoid waste.
Altered perfumes aren’t harmful or dangerous to our skin, but they deteriorate, change color, and even smell, sometimes becoming unusable.
One tip for avoiding waste is to organize your collection well and try to use all your available fragrances according to the season, the notes, and your mood, avoiding letting certain perfumes sit unused for too long.
Another tip concerns perfumes you don’t use. Why keep them in a drawer gathering dust and letting them deteriorate over time?! You can resell them! Reselling a perfume you don’t use prevents you from wasting this precious product and allows someone else to use it, and also—why not!—allows you to earn a little money.
If your collection includes a perfume that’s dated and altered, you may not want to use it, but it could be a vintage collector’s item. Do a little research to determine if the fragrance is now considered vintage, and consider collecting it or selling it as a collector’s item.
Although perfumes have a shelf life and are subject to the effects of time, with the right care, it is possible to prolong their lifespan.
Sceido can help you with this.