Antonio Mcgowan
Dating perfume can be a tricky task, as the production date is often marked with a batch code or lot number, rather than an expiration date. However, there are some ways to determine the age of your perfume. One way is to check the batch code on the bottom or back of the bottle or box on websites like CheckCosmetic.net or CheckFresh.com. Additionally, you can look for specific labels or features that indicate the era of production, such as Made in Occupied Japan, which was used from 1945 to 1952, or enameled lettering, commonly found in the 1940s. Knowing the first launch date of the perfume is also helpful, as some perfumes were produced for many years after their initial release, while others were sold for a short time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing Date | Found on the perfume packaging, often on the bottom or back of the box and/or bottle. |
| Expiry Date | Perfumes have an average shelf life of three to five years, but some can last upwards of 10 years. |
| Storage | Perfumes should be stored in a cool, protected area like a drawer or closet. |
| Batch Code | A short set of numbers and letters that can be used to identify the date of manufacture. |
| Country of Origin | Some perfumes intended for the Mexican market may have labels with a number and the initials "TDSP" (Tratado sobre el Derecho Sustantivo de Patentes). |
| Vintage Perfumes | Bottles with labels marked "Made in Occupied Japan" were made from September 1945 to April 1952. |
| Sample Bottles | From the 1950s onward, sample bottles often had labels that read "sample, not to be sold". |
| Chanel Bottles | From the 1960s onward, Chanel bottles may have labels marked with a copyright symbol and the "CC" logo. |
| US Assembly | If the label states the perfume was "created/compounded/assembled" in the USA, it likely dates to the 1950s. |
| Clear Labels | Clear labels indicating contents were first used in the 1950s. |
| Raiderofthelostscent | A blog that provides information on how to accurately date vintage perfume bottles. |
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What You'll Learn
Check the batch code or lot number
To date a perfume, you can check its batch code or lot number. This is a set of letters and numbers printed by manufacturers on the perfume's packaging during the production process. The batch code is typically located on the bottom of the perfume's container or somewhere near it, or on the outer packaging box.
The batch code allows manufacturers or suppliers to identify the batch in which the product was produced. If the product is not made in a batch, the code should enable the date and place of manufacture to be identified.
The batch code is an essential clue for consumers to determine the manufacturing date and shelf life of their perfume. By using the batch code, you can use a batch code decoder to calculate the production and expiration dates. This will allow you to check if your perfume is safe to use and ensure it performs effectively up to its expiry date.
It is important to note that batch codes can vary across brands and can change every year. Additionally, some online shops may remove additional labels that contain information about the country of manufacture and expiration date. Therefore, it is recommended to refer to a cosmetic calculator or a similar tool to determine the manufacture date of your perfume by its batch code.
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Look for manufacturing clues
When trying to date a perfume, there are several manufacturing clues to look out for. Firstly, check the base of the bottle for any markings. Older Lalique perfumes, for instance, are marked with "R. Lalique" in block lettering, while bottles made after 1945 are signed "Rene Lalique" or simply "Lalique France". Bottles with an embossed entwined HP mark on the base were made by the glass factory of Pochet et du Courval in France after 1930. If your bottle is marked with an "S" or "SGD", it was manufactured by the Saint Gobain Desjonqueres glass factory of France after the 1950s.
Another clue to look out for is the use of enameled lettering or serigraphy on the bottle. This type of lettering started to be used in the 1930s and became more common in the 1940s. You may also find a patent number on the base of the bottle, which you can look up on US patent webpages online. English Registry Design numbers can also be found on perfume bottles from the United Kingdom. Old glass bottles may also have etched matching numbers on the base of the bottle and on the bottom of the stopper.
Additionally, you can look for labels or stamps that indicate the country of manufacture. For example, bottles embossed or labelled with "Made in Occupied Japan" were made between September 1945 and April 1952. A Zip Code on a label indicates that the bottle is from 1962 or later.
Finally, you can try to locate the batch code or production date of the perfume. This is usually printed on the bottom of the bottle or on the product packaging. You can then use an online batch code decoder to calculate the production date and expiration date of the perfume.
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Test its scent
Testing the scent of a perfume is a vital step in determining its authenticity and expiration. Here are some detailed ways to test a perfume's scent:
Firstly, it is important to allow the alcohol in the perfume to evaporate before smelling it. Perfumes with high alcohol concentrations can evaporate over time, and smelling the fragrance before the alcohol has evaporated can skew your perception due to the sharp fumes of alcohol saturating and blocking your nose. Therefore, wait until the spot where you applied the perfume looks dry before inhaling to enjoy the true scent.
Secondly, when testing a perfume, it is recommended to do so in an environment free from other odours to avoid any interference with the scent. This can be challenging, but it ensures a more accurate evaluation of the perfume's scent.
Thirdly, utilise a paper smelling strip, also known as a blotter or Mouillette. Spray the perfume onto the strip, ensuring that the fragrance does not come into contact with your hands, clothes, or any surfaces. Hold the strip away from other scented objects, as you do not want the oils from different perfumes to mix and alter the scent. The strip allows you to evaluate the perfume without it coming into direct contact with your skin, which can influence what you sample later.
Additionally, when testing the scent, observe the evolution of the fragrance. A genuine perfume typically has three stages: top, heart, and base notes, offering a unique olfactory complexity. If the fragrance seems linear or too simple, it may be a sign of a counterfeit product. Compare the perfume with an official tester, if possible, to spot any differences in scent evolution.
Finally, pay attention to any significant changes in the concentration or character of the scent. If your perfume smells like vinegar, or the scent is notably different from when you first purchased it, it may be a sign that the perfume has expired.
By following these steps, you can effectively test the scent of a perfume, ensuring its authenticity and determining whether it has expired.
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Observe colour changes
Perfumes are made from a mixture of essential oils, solvents, and other ingredients, some of which are sensitive to light, heat, and oxidation. These components can undergo chemical changes that affect their colour when exposed to environmental factors. For example, the sun's UV rays can accelerate the decomposition process of light-sensitive components, causing colour changes in the fragrance. Similarly, oxygen interaction (oxidation) can gradually affect both the scent and colour of your fragrance.
Additionally, temperature fluctuations can play a role in colour changes. Storing perfume in areas with varying temperatures, such as near radiators or in bathrooms, can accelerate chemical reactions, potentially leading to colour changes. This is similar to how heat can alter the colour of certain foods during cooking. However, it's important to note that colour changes alone do not necessarily indicate that your perfume has expired or gone bad.
Some specific ingredients are known to darken over time, such as natural jasmine, which can give a reddish, pink, or amber cast to a perfume if present in sufficient quantities. Vanilla is another example of an ingredient that tends to turn dark brown with time and exposure to air.
While colour changes are typically harmless, significant colour alterations coupled with changes in smell or texture can indicate that your perfume has expired. Therefore, regular monitoring of your fragrance's condition and proper storage practices are recommended to maximise its lifespan and maintain its original characteristics.
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Store appropriately
Storing your perfume correctly is essential to maintaining its scent, quality, and longevity. Exposure to heat, light, and fluctuating temperatures can degrade the quality of perfumes over time. Therefore, it is best to store your perfumes in a cool, dry, and dark place such as a bedroom drawer or closet. Here are some detailed tips on how to store your perfume appropriately:
Avoid direct sunlight and heat
Do not store your perfume in direct sunlight as the heat breaks down the chemical structure of the perfume, making it lose its potency. Exposure to light breaks down a scented liquid's makeup and can even melt its bottle if it's plastic. Therefore, it is best to store your perfume in a place free of both natural and artificial light.
Maintain a consistent temperature
Keep your perfume in a place with a consistent temperature. Avoid storing it in places with fluctuating temperatures, like bathrooms and kitchens.
Avoid humidity
Humidity can mess with the chemicals inside your perfume, so it is best to keep your fragrances in a dry location.
Keep it in its original container
Exposure to air can upset the chemical balance of your perfume and accelerate the evaporation of the alcohol inside, making the fragrance expire faster. If you must transfer your perfume to a different container, opt for an opaque, airtight bag to minimize oxidation and protect your fragrance from harmful rays.
Store it in a box
Keep your perfume in its original box and then place it in a drawer or closet to protect it from heat and light.
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Frequently asked questions
Perfumes don't expire in the same way that food does, but they can go bad. You can tell if a perfume has expired by checking its scent, appearance, and any expiration dates that might be included. If the perfume has a darker colour than when you bought it, it may have expired. The scent may also have changed, perhaps smelling like vinegar, or the concentration of the original scent may have faded.
From the time it's produced, a typical bottle of perfume has an average shelf life of three to five years. However, this depends on the scent's chemical composition, how it's stored, and the aromachemicals and ingredients used. Perfumes with alcohol tend to last about five years.
Store your perfume in a cool, protected area like a drawer or closet. Avoid exposing the liquid to air by transferring it to a new container, as this can break down the composition of the perfume and accelerate the evaporation of any alcohol.
You can use the batch code on the bottom or back of the perfume box or bottle to find out the date of manufacture. Check this code on a site like CheckCosmetic.net or CheckFresh.com.
Knowing when your perfume first came out can be helpful. Bottles with labels marked "Made in Occupied Japan" were made from September 1945 until April 1952. Sample bottles from the 1950s often had labels that said "Sample, not to be sold". Chanel bottles from the 1960s onwards may have the backs of their labels marked with a copyright symbol and the "CC" logo. If your label states that the perfume was "created/compounded/assembled" in France or the USA, it dates to after the 1940s, most likely the 1950s.
