Lance Carson
Fragrance oils do not last forever. The average shelf life of fragrance oil is about one year, but this depends on time, temperature, and exposure to air and light. The more natural ingredients in the formula, the quicker it can spoil. Scent changes as fragrance oils age are typical, and top notes like citrus tend to age out of a scent first. Base notes tend to age in. If you need to let fragrance oils sit for over a year, it is recommended to test each fragrance before using it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shelf life | About one year |
| Dependent on | Time, temperature, exposure to air and light |
| Raw materials | Natural ingredients can cause it to spoil more quickly |
| Storage | Cool, dark place away from light and heat |
| How to tell if it's gone off | Smell it; if it smells bad, it's gone bad |
What You'll Learn
The average shelf life of fragrance oil is about one year
If fragrance oil is left for over a year, it is recommended that you test the oil before using it. This is because, over time, the scent of the oil may change. Top notes, like citrus, tend to "age out" of a scent first, while base notes tend to "age in". If the oil has turned rancid, your nose will be able to tell you very quickly.
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Scent changes as oils age
The average shelf life of fragrance oil is about one year. However, this is dependent on time, temperature, and exposure to air and light. For best results, it is recommended to purchase only enough fragrance that you will use within 6 months to a year. The shelf life of the raw materials used to make up the fragrance can also impact its longevity; if there are more natural ingredients in the formula, it can spoil more quickly.
To prolong the life of your fragrance oil, it is recommended to store it in a cool, dark place away from light and heat. If you need to let the oil sit for over a year, it is a good idea to test it before using it in a large batch.
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Top notes tend to 'age out' of a scent first
The average shelf life of fragrance oil is about one year, but this depends on time, temperature, and exposure to air and light. Top notes, like citrus, tend to "age out" of a scent first. They're not the strongest of notes, and will break down and disappear. Base notes tend to "age in" to a scent.
To prevent fragrance oil from expiring, it should be stored in a cool, dark place away from light and heat. If you need to let the oils sit for over one year, it is recommended to test each fragrance before using it.
You can tell if fragrance oil has expired by smelling it. If it smells bad, it has gone bad. However, changing does not mean it has gone off. Some people prefer to order perfume and let it sit for a year or more before opening the bottle because they prefer the changes that occur as the oil ages.
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Base notes tend to 'age in' to a scent
Yes, fragrance oil does expire. The average shelf life of fragrance oil is about one year, but this depends on time, temperature, and exposure to air and light. For best results, it is recommended to purchase only enough fragrance that you will use within six months to a year. The shelf life of the raw materials used to make up the fragrance also has an impact; if there are more natural ingredients in the formula, it can spoil more quickly. It is recommended that you store fragrance oils in a cool, dark place away from light and heat.
There are two types of "going off" when it comes to fragrance oil. They can turn rancid, which your nose will quickly inform you of, or the scent can break down, leaving you with a bottle that doesn't smell of much at all. However, changing does not mean going off. Top notes, like citrus, tend to "age out" of a scent first. They are not the strongest of notes and will break down and disappear. This doesn't usually happen within a year, but this does depend on other factors. Base notes, on the other hand, tend to "age in" to a scent.
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Store fragrance oils in a cool, dark place
The average shelf life of fragrance oil is about one year, but this depends on time, temperature, and exposure to air and light. To extend the life of your fragrance oil, store it in a cool, dark place away from light and heat. The ideal storage place is a dark cupboard or drawer, away from direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators or ovens.
The type of fragrance oil you have will also affect its shelf life. If there are more natural ingredients in the formula, it can spoil more quickly. Base notes tend to "age in" to a scent, while top notes like citrus tend to "age out" first.
You can tell if a fragrance oil has gone off by smelling it. If it smells bad, it has gone rancid. However, changing scent does not necessarily mean the oil has gone off. Scent changes as oils age are typical, and some people even prefer the older scent.
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Frequently asked questions
The average shelf life of fragrance oil is about one year, but this depends on time, temperature, and exposure to air and light.
If the oil smells bad, it has likely gone bad. Scent changes as oils age are typical, and top notes like citrus tend to "age out" of a scent first.
To prolong the life of your fragrance oil, store it in a cool, dark place away from light and heat.
