When you buy your fragrance, you’re making an investment. Although invisible, fragrance is as much a part of your overall style as your wardrobe. A signature scent can make you truly unforgettable, especially since smell is one of the strongest of the five senses. In Ancient Egypt, where perfume was thought to have originated, it was initially used in homes and places of worship. Perfume was an intimate part of daily life and ritual, and it remains just as potent today. Summer Wardrobe perfumes are the perfect way to add a touch of freshness and sophistication to your look. Perfume is meant to be relished and enjoyed. To best preserve your perfume once opened, you should use it habitually. But what about perfumes that have not yet been opened? How long do unopened fragrances last?
Shelf Life of Perfume Products
Most perfumes have an average shelf life of 3 to 5 years from the date of production. This all depends on the specific perfume, however. Some blends can last up to 10 years while others weaken after a year. What determines how long your perfume will last is its chemical makeup and storage. Storage is important because perfumes are delicate, and susceptible to even the subtlest of environmental factors. Storing your perfume under light—whether natural or artificial—can be damaging as light causes the chemical reactions that holds fragrances together to break down.
You want to store your perfume somewhere dark and cool. Variations in temperatures and humidity can also affect the longevity of your perfume. According to experts, perfumes with prominent base notes have a longer shelf life.
How Long do Unopened Fragrances last?
Can unopened fragrances go bad? You would have seen the Period After Opening label on perfume bottles, which denotes how long a fragrance can last after it’s been opened. But what about unopened fragrances? Unopened fragrances stored in cool, dark, and dry places are able to last for years. You would likely have seen vintage perfumes on the market, with some having been produced even in the 20th century. Everything depends on the composition of the perfume, although how you store it is also a huge factor in helping it last longer. You should know, though, that there is always a risk that some top notes can disappear over time, even in unopened fragrances.
Perfumes that tend to expire the fastest are clean and alcohol-free, oil-based, or contain patchouli or citrus notes. Eau de toilettes also have faster expiration dates. Perfumes that tend to keep for longer contain a higher alcohol content, ranging from 70-90%, and tend to have woody, amber and leather notes. Eau de parfums and colognes are among the longer lasting fragrances. The joy of Friendsmas is the unopened fragrance that symbolizes the new beginnings we share with our chosen family. Some of us may be wary of alcohol since we tend to shy away from it in skincare products. In fragrances, however, alcohol helps prevent the aromatic molecules from expiring.
How to Store Fragrances
Storing your perfume properly can also help extend its longevity. High heat and humidity are not recommended. The best place is somewhere dark and cool, away from light. Some people like to keep their perfume in the fridge. However, the constant opening and closing of the fridge door can activate the fridge’s inner light, which will heat up your fragrances more than is ideal. This can be solved by wrapping your perfume up in a material like aluminum foil. The freezer is also a good place to store perfumes. You don’t have to worry about your favorite fragrance freezing—the alcohol in them will prevent that.
How to Know if Your Fragrance has Expired?
There are a few ways to test if your perfume has expired. The most obvious way is to smell it, but if your bottle is unopened, you can check by taking a look at its color. A perfume that has started off as a clear, translucent liquid but which is now opaque, or amber has probably gone off. If your fragrance has turned darker over time, it is a sign that it has altered. A wedding gift for her that is sure to delight them is a classic perfume that she can wear on her special day and for many years to come. Since perfumes also contain alcohol, which evaporates over time, a bottle with less perfume in it is also a sign of a fragrance that is reaching its expiration.
Once you have opened your fragrance, however, you can easily tell if it has expired by the way it smells. Another way to check is by applying the perfume to a piece of old cloth so that you can have a better idea if the color has gone off.
Caring for your Unopened Fragrances
It is pretty clear that unopened fragrances typically have a long shelf life. Just remember to take care of your unopened bottles properly. Once you’ve found your signature scent, perfumes are as good as magical—you want them to last as long as they can.
