However, a useful rule of thumb is that inexpensive scents from mini-marts are more prone to early decay. This article explores various reasons behind perfumes and colognes getting spoilt. We have also put together a guide to know when your scent is not fit for use. Scroll down!
Why Perfumes Or Colognes May Get Spoiled
1. Perfumes Start Losing Their Smell With Time
While some perfumes do not lose their aroma for several years, some are flighty, and others are degenerative. Earlier, the scents had fixatives and ingredients that helped retain their freshness for a long time. But today, there is a ban on the use of most of these compounds as they pose many health risks. Hence, perfumes tend to go bland in fragrance as they grow old.
2. The Temperature And Environmental Conditions Where The Perfumes/Colognes Are Stored, Matter
Storing perfumes and colognes in dark places at room temperature increases the shelf life of the scent. As perfumes have photochemical compounds, any change in heat or light around the fragrance can alter the structure of these chemicals or break them. Tabath Farnel, Fragrance Expert, shares, “One very common mistake that people make is storing their perfumes in the bathroom. While this can be a convenient location while getting ready for the day, the high heat and humidity can cause perfumes to break down quickly.” Some individuals buy refrigerators specifically to store perfumes and colognes. Moreover, the cap of the perfume/cologne bottle also decides its shelf life. It must be airtight to protect the scent from the external environment.
3. The Material Of The Cologne Bottle Also Has A Significant Impact On Its Shelf Life
Famous perfume and cologne brands use non-reactive materials for scent bottles. They use high-quality glass, which protects the chemical combinations from UV light and temperature change. Some manufacturers pack regular inexpensive scents in containers made with materials that don’t prevent them from reacting with the surrounding environment. These are the reasons your perfume/cologne may get spoiled. In the following section, we will look at the signs that indicate your scent is unsuitable for use.
How To Tell If Your Perfume/Cologne Is Unfit For Use
1. Check The Expiry Date
Perfumes or colognes have expiry dates. They also have ‘best before’ as well as manufacturing dates. Always refer to these dates before buying the bottles. Check the manufacturing and expiry dates if you are doubtful about the quality of the scent. If the scent crosses its expiry date, it is not advisable to use it.
2. Test The Smell Of The Perfume Or Cologne
If there is a significant difference in the fragrance of your perfume or cologne from the original scent, your scent is not pleasant to use. Sometimes, the perfumes start smelling of vinegar or citric acid, which again is an indicator of their decomposition. The fragrances with vegetable oil added to their composition tend to decompose faster than those with zero fat content.
3. Observe The Changes In The Appearance Of The Perfume/Cologne
The difference in the color and texture of the perfume/cologne is an indicator of its spoilage. If your perfume is turning darker than the original color, it is not suitable for further use. For example, you may have a perfume with the golden glow of the liquid, which, over time, turns to a darker liquid with an amber color. This indicates spoilage, making it unfit for use. Sometimes, the density of perfume/cologne increases, and its consistency becomes similar to that of oil. This thick consistency also indicates spoilage.
How To Ensure Your Perfume/Cologne Lasts Longer
Some good brands of perfume provide scents that last for years together. But they are highly expensive. Ordinary perfumes that we use in our day-to-day lives have a shelf life of 1-2 years. After this, the alcohol and volatile fragrance-providing agents leave the scent and diffuse in the nearby environment, making the perfume non-usable. However, the life of your cologne entirely depends on how you store and use it. Follow these simple steps to make your scent last longer: Throwing out an expired bottle of perfume is the first thing that comes to mind when you come across one. Surprisingly, there are creative ways to use that once-cherished fragrance. Find out more in the next section.
Ways To Use Expired Perfume
Here are the following ways in which you can use your expired perfume:
Place a few drops of perfume on a cotton ball and use it like a room freshener. Spray them on your bedding, carpets, and rugs to give them an amazing smell. Use it on a fan or a lampshade as the heat may help revive their lost scent a little. Repurpose the perfume bottles as oil burners or flower vases.
Perfumes and colognes tend to undergo spoilage despite containing non-degradable chemicals. The cheaper perfumes available in the markets contain animal fats and vegetable oils, which are more prone to deterioration. The substances in such scents are converted to acids by fermentation. A sour smell is an indicator of perfume spoilage. Do perfumes get better with age? No, perfumes do not get better with age. Instead, their concentration fades as they reach expiration. Does perfume last longer on the skin or clothes? Perfumes usually last longer on clothes than on the skin. However, they must be used cautiously to avoid any textile damage.
Examine the untold facts about the lifespan of fragrances with this insightful video. Discover what elements that impact the longevity of colognes and learn how long scents last.
