Colognes: Wrists Are Not Rubbing Spots

The insides of the wrists are a popular spot for applying cologne or perfume. However, experts advise against rubbing your wrists together after application as it can negatively impact the fragrance's longevity and scent.

Rubbing your wrists together can dull top notes and accelerate evaporation. Top notes are the most delicate molecules in the mix and are usually the reason you fell in love with the perfume in the first place. Therefore, by getting rid of them right away, you are not getting the most out of your perfume. Additionally, vigorously mixing perfume with your natural oils can also change the way it smells.

Instead, it is recommended to lightly dab your wrists together and let the perfume air-dry. Applying an unscented moisturizer to the skin before application can also help ensure all-day wear.

It can dull top notes

Rubbing cologne into your wrists can cause the top notes to fade more quickly. Top notes are the most delicate molecules in the mix and are usually the reason you fell in love with the cologne in the first place. By getting rid of them right away, you're not getting the most out of your cologne.

The wrists are located far from your nose and other people's noses. They are constantly moving and in contact with objects and furniture, so the friction removes the cologne from the skin. The wrists are also a region with a lot of heat due to the flow of blood, so the sillage of the cologne is enhanced. However, the negative aspects of putting cologne on the wrists may outweigh the positive aspects.

The friction created by rubbing your wrists together generates sudden and uneven heat, which can accelerate the evaporation of certain scent molecules and distort the fragrance. This can cause the cologne to smell different and not last as long.

Instead of rubbing your wrists together, it is recommended to lightly dab them together and let the cologne air-dry. You can also apply an unscented moisturiser to the skin before applying cologne to ensure all-day wear.

It can accelerate evaporation

Why you shouldn't rub cologne into your wrists: It can accelerate evaporation

Rubbing cologne into your wrists can cause the fragrance to fade faster, as it can dull the top notes and accelerate evaporation. Top notes are the delicate molecules that give a fragrance its unique character, and they are often the reason why you fell in love with the scent in the first place. By rubbing your wrists together, you can accidentally get rid of these top notes right away, resulting in a diminished fragrance experience.

The friction created by rubbing your wrists together generates sudden and uneven heat, which can cause certain scent molecules to evaporate more quickly. This not only affects the longevity of the fragrance but can also distort its intended scent profile. The heat from friction can also mix the cologne with your natural oils, further altering the way it smells.

To avoid these issues, it is recommended to lightly dab your wrists together or let the cologne air-dry. Applying an unscented moisturiser to your skin before applying cologne can also help extend the wear time, as hydrated skin holds onto the scent for longer.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the wrists are considered pulse points, which are areas of the body that emit more heat due to increased blood flow. These pulse points, including the neck, wrists, and backs of the knees, are recommended locations for applying cologne as the heat they generate can activate and maximise the projection of the fragrance.

It can change the way the cologne smells

Why you shouldn't rub cologne into your wrists

Rubbing cologne or perfume into your wrists can change the way it smells. This is due to the friction created by rubbing, which generates a sudden and uneven heat that can accelerate the evaporation of certain scent molecules, distorting the fragrance. The top notes, which are the most delicate molecules, can be dulled or lost, and the scent can be altered.

How to apply cologne or perfume correctly

Instead of rubbing, it is recommended to lightly dab your wrists together and let the cologne or perfume air-dry. Applying an unscented moisturiser to the skin before application can also help to ensure all-day wear, as the better hydrated your skin is, the longer the scent will last.

It is also suggested to spray cologne or perfume on other pulse points, such as the neck, elbows, and the back of the knees, as these areas produce natural body heat which can help to release the scent.

It can cause uneven distribution

Why you shouldn't rub colognes into your wrists: It can cause uneven distribution

Rubbing cologne or perfume into your wrists can cause uneven distribution of the scent. The wrists are considered a "pulse point", meaning that applying cologne there will cause it to emit fragrance throughout the day. However, rubbing the wrists together can cause the cologne to be distributed unevenly, with more cologne on one wrist than the other. This can be undesirable if you want the scent to be evenly distributed.

Additionally, rubbing cologne into the wrists can cause the top notes of the cologne to dull and accelerate evaporation. Top notes are the most delicate molecules in the cologne, and they are often the reason why someone chose that particular scent. By rubbing your wrists together and getting rid of the top notes right away, you are not getting the most out of your cologne.

To avoid uneven distribution and dulling the top notes, it is recommended to lightly dab your wrists together instead of rubbing them, and then let the cologne air-dry. You can also apply an unscented moisturiser to the skin before applying cologne to ensure all-day wear.

It is worth noting that some people disagree with the idea that rubbing cologne into the wrists affects the scent. Some people claim that fragrances are not that fragile, and that the amount of heat generated by rubbing the wrists is minimal and not enough to cause any significant change in temperature or the fragrance. However, experts in the field, such as Emma South, Fragrance and Lifestyle Expert at Jo Malone, advise against rubbing cologne into the wrists as it can negatively impact the formula's longevity.

It can negatively impact the cologne's longevity

Why you shouldn't rub cologne into your wrists

Rubbing cologne into your wrists can cause the top notes of the fragrance to disappear more quickly. Top notes are the delicate molecules that give a perfume its unique scent. By rubbing your wrists together, you can accidentally get rid of these molecules before they've had a chance to do their job. This means you're not getting the most out of your cologne.

The friction caused by rubbing your wrists together can also generate sudden and uneven heat. This heat accelerates the evaporation of certain scent molecules, which can distort the fragrance. So, not only are you losing the top notes, but you're also changing the way the cologne smells.

Additionally, rubbing cologne into your wrists can mix it with your natural oils, which can further alter the way the fragrance smells. This is especially true if you haven't washed your hands or wrists recently. The natural oils and dirt on your skin can mix with the cologne, changing its chemical composition and affecting its longevity.

To avoid these issues, it's best to let the cologne air dry on your wrists. You can also dab your wrists together lightly or apply it to your pulse points to help the fragrance last longer.

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