We all are collectors or, let’s say, in some cases, hoarders in some form or another for our favorite things — be it shoes, dress outfits, and whatnot. Similarly, an obsession with fragrance is something most people indulge in. Often, we have this weird-not-so-weird habit of treasuring our beloved perfumes for years and years.
But this immense fascination often raises questions such as: Does perfume expire? What if my perfume loses its natural scent? These questions almost always eat up and make perfume lovers sit on pins and needles. In this blog, we’ll highlight simple yet effective ways to extend its life shelf and ultimately find your answer: Does perfume expire?
Know Your Perfume Notes
Long-lasting scents like amber, sandalwood, vanilla, cedarwood, etc., are just a few of the many with heavier base notes that have long-lasting scent fragrances. The heavier the base note, the better the scent gets with age, and hence, it is often compared with wine for its wine-like aging properties.
The top notes, also called the lighter base notes, like citrus, orange, rose, basil, and floral perfumes, are very eminent in their fragrance, and their solution is volatile, meaning their scent fades faster than the ones with the high base note.
What is a Perfume’s Shelf Life?
Your signature collection of favorite perfumes has the potential to become unpleasant due to changes in chemical composition or improper storage methods. The average life span of a perfume lasts between 3 to 5 years, whereas in some cases, it can last for more than a decade if stored correctly, even for those lacking explicit expiration dates.
This is not a thumb rule to practice, but this simple trick can surely enhance the shelf life of perfumes. Store and stock perfumes in a calm and dark place, like a beauty drawer, a beauty fridge, or even a wardrobe you create for your perfumes.
Which Perfumes have a longer Shelf Life?
Fragrances with high base notes like woody, chypre, fougere, and oriental have more longevity. Compared to citrus and fruity scents, known for their shorter life span. Also, perfumes containing essential oils exhibit greater longevity than vegetable oils, as the latter tend to expire quickly.
Does Perfume Expire?
Well, there will be changes felt and sensed, which will differ from when you bought your perfume to the present day. The color may change and appear darker or discolored. When sprayed, a sharp, sour scent may become clear to your sense of smell.
If you want to check it practically, take a test paper, spray some on the test paper, and flair it repeatedly before you sniff the smell. You will sense something off and understand that the fragrance has gone wrong for worse. If you notice, the top notes, generally the citrus, fruity, or green notes, begin to oxidize as air penetrates the bottle, altering the fragrance scent molecules over the period.
How do You Check if Your Perfume has Expired?
There are many ways to check if your fragrance has gone wrong. Here are some of the ways you can know:
- You sense something off
You know your perfume’s scent more than anyone else. You can quickly grasp if your perfume has been going down the hill by how it looks and feels since it gradually shows signs of deterioration. Check for the following changes in the notes: a sour or metallic smell, a vinegar-like smell, and a sharp, astringent smell. - It looks different than usual
Does it give off a vibe of a familiar, unfamiliar, sought-after look you once were fond of dearly? The number of times we open the bottle, the more there is an active passage of oxygen flowing inside it. The more it oxides itself, the faster the discoloration process occurs. The sign of a darker-than-usual color results in it having expired.
Increase Your Perfume’s Shelf Life with these Tips
In simple ways, you can increase the shelf life of your favorite fragrance and keep wearing it for an extended period by following these tips:
- Dark-cozy little space for the win
It is easy to bend a little and stretch your hand toward your favorite perfume bottle anytime you want a good dose of rich fragrance from the rack near your window. But this is the worst place to keep your perfumes safe. The sun’s rays will cause more harm than good, breaking the fragrance molecules and creating an unstable composition prone to oxidation. - Say no to heat and humidity
Storing your perfumes in a humid environment makes them prone to alteration by chemical makeup. Instead, store them in a beauty fridge, drawer, or even a wardrobe specially designed for all your care products. But never, ever make the mistake of storing them in extreme heat or humid environments. - Spray your beauty potion religiously
We often gallop on our favorite food at the end, saving a small space in our stomachs for later. However, this approach doesn’t apply to fragrances. As a perfume enthusiast, it’s important to know that the more empty the bottle, the faster the oxygen penetrates, making it oxidize quickly. To prolong the life of your perfumes, rotate your sprays and use the one with the lowest liquid amount first. - Keep it original, keep it authentic
The more you load and unload your original perfume bottle and transfer it to travel-friendly or tiny tubes, the more the liquid comes into contact with oxygen, quickly deteriorating the perfume’s longevity. For a win-win situation, it is best to keep the liquid in the original bottle and never transfer it.
Does Perfume Expire If Unopened?
If it’s a packed bottle, kept following all the dos and don’ts of storing and maintaining the bottles safe, it can last for years, possibly decades. But the moment you unseal it, you lose its longevity.
Also, many perfume bottles have a good amount of alcohol content, making their longevity last longer than usual. The longer alcohol is sealed and preserved, the greater its taste and richness improve. This principle also applies to perfumes, where preserving alcohol content enhances the fragrance’s overall appeal.
What will happen if I use an Expired Perfume?
After spending hefty bucks to appreciate the beauty of perfumes, it comes naturally to us not to want to let go of our precious perfumes and use them even past their expiration date till the very last drop. Well, nothing significant would happen if you sprayed something beyond its shelf life on yourself.
There would be an unusual and unpleasant smell that you and the people around you would need to bear with. You might get rashes, irritation, or allergic reactions in the worst-case scenario. It’s best to avoid it if you are sensitive skin type.
The beloved scent of your favorite perfume may diminish with time, an unavoidable reality. Yet, the silver lining lies in your ability to prolong the lifespan of these cherished fragrances through practical tips shared in this blog.
By following these tips, you can extend the lifespan of your perfume beyond the norm. Remember, the scent you wear is a part of how you are remembered.
