Heidi Norton
Perfumes do not last forever, and it is important to know when they have gone bad. The quality, scent family, and how a fragrance is stored can have a major impact on how long a perfume lasts. The actual perfume formulation may also impact how quickly the scent will go bad. For example, perfumes with high alcohol content tend to last the longest as the alcohol prevents the aromatic molecules from oxidizing. On the other hand, perfumes with patchouli or citrus notes tend to expire the fastest. Knowing how to store your perfume can also increase its lifespan. Keep it in a cool, dark place and away from sunlight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scent | The perfume may smell different, like vinegar, or have chemical notes. |
| Appearance | The colour may change, becoming darker, opaque, or with a yellow tint. |
| Date | Some perfumes have an expiry date. |
| Batch code | A batch code or PAO (Period After Opening) number can be used to identify when and where a perfume was produced. |
| Bottle | The amount of perfume in the bottle may decrease without use. |
| Storage | If not stored correctly, a perfume may expire faster. |
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What You'll Learn
Check the scent for vinegar or chemical notes
One of the most obvious ways to tell if your perfume has gone bad is to test its scent. If your perfume smells of vinegar or has developed other more chemical notes, it may be expired. This is because air can corrode your fragrance through oxidation—the same process that turns wine into vinegar.
Visible light can also cause this degradation, as light has enough energy to break the bonds in fragrance molecules. This can happen in as little as a week. As such, storing your perfume in a cool, dry, and dark place, like a bedroom drawer or closet, can help extend its lifespan.
Additionally, perfumes with a high concentration of alcohol may evaporate, becoming much more concentrated in their essential oils. This can result in a change in the scent, making it more vinegar-like. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the concentration of the original scent over time.
It is worth noting that perfumes do not have a definitive expiration date. Their lifespan depends on their chemical composition and how they are stored. Some perfumes may last less than a year, while others can last upwards of 10 years.
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Observe any changes in colour
One of the ways to determine if your perfume has gone bad is to observe any changes in colour. If you notice that the perfume has become darker or has a yellow tint, it is a sign that the fragrance has gone bad. This is because the fragrance has oxidised. Oxidisation is caused by oxygen coming into contact with the perfume, which can happen when the perfume is frequently decanted into smaller bottles. Oxygen is one of the biggest enemies of perfume, along with light and heat.
Perfumes with a high alcohol concentration can also cause the fragrance to change colour over time. This is because the alcohol evaporates, leaving the perfume much more concentrated in essential oils. This can also happen if the perfume is stored incorrectly, for example, if it is exposed to sunlight or high temperatures. Therefore, it is recommended to store perfumes in a cool, dry, and dark place such as a bedroom drawer or closet.
The colour of the perfume is not the only indication that it has gone bad. It is also important to check the scent of the perfume. If the perfume smells different or has hints of vinegar, this could indicate that it has expired. Additionally, if there is less perfume in the bottle and you are sure that you haven't been using it, this could be a sign that the perfume is expiring.
It is worth noting that the shelf life of perfumes can vary depending on their ingredients and storage conditions. Some perfumes may last only a year, while others can last upwards of 10 years. However, if stored correctly, the shelf life of perfumes can be extended.
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Look for batch codes
While there are several ways to determine if a perfume has gone bad, one way is to look for batch codes. Batch codes are identification codes that specify when and where a perfume was produced. They are used by perfume companies for quality control purposes to identify and remove bad batches from the market. All original, branded perfumes should have their own unique batch codes, which usually consist of three to twelve numbers and, sometimes, letters. These codes are often printed on the packaging after it has been printed, so they may look different from the rest of the numbers on the packaging.
Batch codes can typically be found at the bottom of the perfume or on the box it came in. They may be prefixed with "LOT" or other abbreviations such as MFD, MFG, MAN, MD, or P, which indicate the manufactured date, or EXP, ED, or E, which indicate the expiration date. If you are having trouble identifying the batch code, you can try using a magnifying glass or the zoom function on your phone to get a closer look, or try viewing the code under different lighting conditions. You can also contact the product's customer service department for help.
While batch codes can be useful, they do not prove the authenticity of a fragrance. It is important to note that the shelf life of a perfume depends on its chemical composition and how it is stored. Correctly stored perfumes can last much longer than those that are not.
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Store in a cool, dark place
Storing your perfume in a cool, dark place is one of the best ways to ensure its longevity. Oxygen, light, and heat are the biggest enemies of perfume. Exposure to these elements can upset the chemical balance of the fragrance, causing it to expire faster. Therefore, it is recommended to keep perfume away from direct sunlight and heat sources, such as storing it in a bedroom drawer, closet, or cupboard.
The ideal temperature for storing perfume is cool, and one way to achieve this is by keeping it in the refrigerator. However, constant exposure to light and temperature changes from an opened fridge door can negatively impact the fragrance. As a solution, you can wrap your perfume bottle in aluminium foil or opt for storing it in the freezer.
Citrus-based perfumes are also known to benefit from being stored in the fridge, as they are more prone to oxidation. To further slow down the oxidation process, it is recommended to use up the perfume before opening another bottle, as the oxygen inside the half-empty bottle can alter the fragrance.
In addition to temperature and light control, it is essential to keep perfume in its original container. Transferring the fragrance to smaller bottles or atomizers increases its exposure to oxygen, accelerating its expiration.
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Check for reduced fragrance strength
One of the most obvious ways to check if a perfume has gone bad is to test its scent. If you've owned a fragrance for a long time, you may notice that its strength has lessened, indicating that it might be nearing its expiration date. Perfumes with high alcohol content tend to last the longest as the alcohol prevents the aromatic molecules from oxidizing. However, perfumes with a high concentration of alcohol can evaporate over time, becoming much more concentrated in essential oils. This can result in a change in the concentration of the original scent.
To test if your perfume's fragrance strength has reduced, you can spray it on a piece of paper and observe if there is any change in the scent. If the perfume smells vastly different from when you bought it, it is likely going off. You may also notice hints of vinegar or other chemical notes.
Another way to check for reduced fragrance strength is to observe the level of liquid in the bottle. If you notice less perfume in the bottle and you're sure you haven't been using it, this could indicate that the perfume is expiring. This is because the alcohol in the perfume may be evaporating, leading to a reduction in volume.
Additionally, the colour of the perfume can provide clues about its freshness. Perfumes that become darker or develop opacity over time are likely aging. Discoloration or a yellow tint usually indicates that the fragrance has oxidized.
It is important to note that the shelf life of perfumes can vary depending on their ingredients and storage conditions. Correctly stored perfumes will last much longer. To extend the life of your perfume, it is recommended to store it in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a bedroom drawer or closet. Keeping the perfume in its original container can also help preserve its freshness.
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Frequently asked questions
One of the most obvious ways to tell if your perfume has gone bad is by its smell. If the scent has changed or developed sour, metallic, or vinegar-like notes, it has likely expired.
The shelf life of perfume depends on its chemical composition and how it is stored. Most scents will stay fresh for at least a year if stored correctly, but the more oxygen in the bottle, the quicker the perfume will develop.
To prevent your perfume from expiring, ensure it is stored correctly. High-quality perfumes can last years if stored properly.
If your perfume has expired, it is recommended to dispose of it properly. You can refer to the brand's website or guidelines for information on how to do this.
Expired perfume can cause skin irritation or, in extreme cases, an allergic reaction. If your skin is starting to become irritated by the perfume, even if you've worn it multiple times before, it may be expired.
