Do Fragrances Expire? 6 Facts to Know
16th Dec 2024
Forgetting that cosmetics like makeup and fragrances have expiration dates is quite common. Experts agree that opened perfumes expire after 1-5 years, but you don’t need to panic about your perfume’s shelf life just yet. If it still smells good and is not discolored, your signature scent is probably fine. Expired fragrances show unmistakable signs of chemical composition changes, like in scent and color.
Thankfully, under proper storage conditions, unopened perfume will last forever in its sealed bottle. Continue reading to learn more about the chemistry of fragrance and how to keep your perfumes fresh.
You Can Prevent the Big 3 Enemies of Fragrance
Fragrances expire when their chemical composition breaks down after exposure to heat, light, or oxygen. Oxidization is the most frequent culprit for fragrance expiration. Once they encounter a perfume or cologne, oxygen molecules can affect its chemical composition. This means that opening a new fragrance is like starting a stopwatch; you’re counting down the time until expiration.
Although unopened perfume can last forever, exposure to heat and light can turn even a sealed bottle bad. Proper storage is incredibly crucial.
Store Fragrances in a Cool, Dark Place
How long your perfume will last is dependent on when you open it and how you store it. Oxygen exposure will degrade fragrances, but so will heat and light. Warm, humid places like bathrooms and surfaces with significant natural light are the worst places to store fragrances.
Texture Changes are a Red Flag
Smell is often the first indicator that a fragrance is no longer usable, but texture changes are also a bad sign. Crystallization along the edges of your bottle or the fragrance itself becoming opaquer could signify expiration.
Lighter Perfumes Expire Faster
Light, top-note heavy fragrances tend to turn faster than deeper, bottom-note heavy scents. Your favorite cologne with citrus notes will turn sour smelling, rather than becoming darker and richer.
Natural Fragrances Have a Shorter Shelf Life
If your favorite perfume is a natural essential oil blend, it will likely expire faster than a synthetic fragrance. This is because man-made ingredients are generally more stable than their organic counterparts. Additionally, essential oils evaporate more quickly than alcohols.
Expired Fragrances Can Be Dangerous
Although we don’t ingest fragrances, using one that has expired could lead to skin irritation or allergic reactions. This is because the ingredients degrade after exposure to the big 3: heat, light, and oxygen. Additionally, once a perfume “turns” or goes bad, it will lose the notes you love.
Discover High Quality Fragrances
Make the most of your favorite scents before they expire by treating yourself to high quality samplers from Surrender to Chance. We offer many types of perfumes and colognes, including luxury eau de parfums and eau de toilettes. We’re passionate about the fun of fragrance, and what could be more fun than hunting for your new signature scent?