Keeping Your Scent Fresh
Keeping Your Scent Fresh
If you’re a perfume enthusiast, you know the pain of discovering that your once-favorite fragrance has turned sour. Much like expired milk, perfume has an expiration date. However, there are measures you can take to ensure that your perfume stays fresh for as long as possible.
Perfume is a complex combination of molecules that interact with each other. As a result, the scent and color of your perfume may evolve over time. This is a natural process, and if you use your perfume within a year of opening it, it won’t harm you or compromise the quality of your fragrance.
To maintain the quality of your perfume, you need to be aware of its three main enemies: heat, humidity, and light. Exposure to UV rays, high temperatures, and humid environments can accelerate the aging process of your fragrance. However, different perfumes react differently to aging. Citrus notes are the most sensitive to oxidation, while warm ambery fragrances tend to discolor more quickly than others. Certain combinations of raw materials can also amplify and accelerate the aging process. For example, the combination of vanilla and orange flower can give a somewhat orange color to the fragrance over time.
To extend the life of your fragrance, it’s important to follow these three guidelines:
- Protect your perfume from light.
- Keep your perfume away from heat sources to prevent changes.
3. Store your perfume in a cool, dry place.
In fact, you may be surprised to learn that the best place to keep your perfume is in your fridge! This will help keep your perfume cool and protect it from heat, humidity, and light.