Keep Your Cologne Fresh: Tips To Avoid Expiry

Cologne does expire, and it's important to know how to make it last as long as possible, especially if it's a scent you love. The shelf life of cologne depends on its chemical composition and how it's stored. Cologne that is stored correctly will last much longer than those that are not. To keep your cologne from expiring, store it in a cool, dry, and dark place, like a bedroom drawer or closet. Keeping it in its original container is also important, as exposure to air can upset the chemical balance and cause the alcohol to evaporate, making the fragrance expire faster.

Keep it in a cool, dry, dark place

Keeping your cologne in a cool, dry, dark place is one of the most important things you can do to extend its lifespan. The bathroom is not an ideal storage spot, as the humidity from steamy showers can affect the cologne, even if the bottle is kept inside a cabinet or drawer. Extreme temperatures can cause the cologne to expire faster, so it's best to avoid storing it in places with fluctuating temperatures, such as the bathroom or near an air conditioning vent.

Direct sunlight can also alter the ingredients in cologne, so it's best to avoid storing it near a window or another source of natural light. If you want to display your colognes on a shelf, make sure that sunlight won't reach them.

A bedroom drawer or closet is a good option for storing cologne, as these locations are typically dark and have a relatively consistent temperature. Keeping the cologne in its original container can also help, as exposure to air can upset the chemical balance and cause the fragrance to expire faster.

Store it in its original container

Storing your cologne in its original container is one of the best ways to ensure it stays fresh for longer. Exposure to air can upset the chemical balance of the fragrance, and accelerate the evaporation of alcohol in the cologne, causing it to expire faster.

Perfume bottles are designed to keep the fragrance fresh for as long as possible. They are airtight, and often made from tinted glass, to prevent light from breaking down the molecules of the fragrance.

If you have decanted your cologne into a different container, try to use a bottle that is the same size as the amount of cologne you have left. The less air in the bottle, the less oxygen there is to react with the fragrance.

You should also store your cologne in a cool, dry, dark place, like a bedroom drawer or a closet. Keeping the bottle out of direct sunlight will also help to preserve the fragrance for longer.

Avoid exposing it to oxygen

Oxygen is one of the key factors that can cause cologne to expire. As soon as oxygen enters an open bottle of cologne, the oxidation process begins, which can turn the fragrance sour. To avoid exposing your cologne to oxygen, take the following precautions:

Keep the bottle sealed when not in use. Always ensure that you recap your cologne bottles securely. If air reaches the fragrance, it can cause oxidation, changing the scent and reducing its longevity.

Store the cologne in its original container. Exposure to air can upset the chemical balance of the cologne, and accelerate the evaporation of alcohol in the fragrance, causing it to expire faster.

Avoid storing the cologne in the bathroom. The hot and cool temperature changes can cause the cologne to expire faster. Humidity can also interfere with the chemicals in the fragrance.

Keep the cologne in a cool, dry, and dark place. A bedroom drawer or closet is ideal. The fridge is not recommended, as the temperature fluctuation when you take the bottle out can be damaging.

Don't decant the cologne into smaller bottles. While it may be practical to carry a small bottle of cologne with you, frequently decanting the fragrance will expose it to oxygen and reduce its shelf life.

Keep it away from direct sunlight

Keeping your cologne away from direct sunlight is one of the most important things you can do to prevent it from expiring. Sunlight and heat can break down the chemical structure of the perfume, causing it to lose its potency and turn sour. Therefore, it is best to store your cologne in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a bedroom drawer or closet.

The bathroom is not an ideal storage spot, as the hot and cool temperature changes from showers can cause the perfume to expire faster, and humidity can mess with the chemicals in the fragrance. Instead, keep it in its original container in a stable, cool environment.

Additionally, avoid storing your cologne in the refrigerator. While it may seem like a good idea to keep it in a cool place, the extreme cold can be just as damaging as heat when it comes to altering the chemical composition of the cologne.

By storing your cologne away from direct sunlight and maintaining a stable temperature, you can significantly extend its shelf life and enjoy your favourite fragrance for longer.

Check the expiration date

Checking the expiration date is an important step in ensuring your cologne is still good to use. While colognes don't have a hard-and-fast expiration date, they do expire. The average shelf life of a fragrance is around three to five years, but some colognes can last upwards of 10 years with proper care.

To check the expiration date, look for a batch code or a PAO (Period After Opening) number on the bottom of the cologne bottle or the box it came in. The batch code is an identification code specifying when and where the cologne was produced and typically consists of three to 12 numbers, sometimes with letters included. The PAO is a small symbol of a round jar with an open lid and a number next to it, indicating how many months the product can be used after opening.

If you can't find an expiration date, you can also examine the cologne's colour and consistency. When it starts to get darker and syrupy, it's likely expired. Additionally, if there is less cologne in the bottle than you remember, the alcohol may have evaporated, which is another sign of expiration.

Frequently asked questions