Aromatic Mistakes: Why You Should Avoid Rubbing Cologne On

While some people believe that rubbing cologne into the skin can help it last longer, others disagree. Some experts say that rubbing cologne into the skin can distort the scent by dulling the top notes and changing how the middle and base notes perform on your skin. However, others say that you may rub your wrists together, as the only thing you might do is warm the scent a bit, causing the top notes to evaporate a little more quickly, but since they disappear within ten minutes anyway, it isn't something you would likely notice.

It can dull the top notes

Why You Shouldn't Rub Cologne: It Can Dull the Top Notes

Rubbing cologne into your skin after application can affect the way the scent performs on your skin. This is because fragrances are made up of a combination of top notes, middle or heart notes, and base notes. Top notes are more delicate and lighter, dissipating the quickest, while base notes are heavier molecules that last longer.

When you rub cologne into your wrists, the friction between the perfume and your skin's natural oils "rushes the fragrance", according to master perfumer Harry Frémont. This means you're fast-forwarding your scent experience, skipping the opening and going straight to the heart notes. While this may not be catastrophic, it can be considered a waste when you've spent a lot of money on a fragrance, and the top notes are what attracted you to the perfume in the first place.

The friction created by rubbing your wrists together heats up the skin, which produces natural enzymes that alter the course of the scent. This mainly impacts the middle and top notes, as well as the dry-down, or the last and longest period of your fragrance's unfolding. For example, with a floral fragrance, the heat can warm up everything, causing it to lose its crispness.

To preserve the integrity of your cologne and ensure it lasts longer on your skin, it is recommended to spritz both wrists lightly and let the liquid sink in without rubbing. This way, you get to experience the full scent profile as it was intended to be experienced.

It mixes the perfume with your natural oils, changing the scent

Rubbing cologne into your skin can change the way it smells. While some people claim that this is an old wives' tale, master perfumers like Harry Frémont and Francis Kurkdjian disagree. According to Frémont, rubbing cologne into the skin can spoil the light-molecule top notes. The friction between the perfume and your skin's natural oils "rushes the fragrance", fast-forwarding your scent experience and bypassing the opening to go straight to the heart notes.

Kurkdjian explains that the friction created by rubbing warms up the skin, producing natural enzymes that alter the course of the scent. This mostly impacts the middle and top notes, as well as the dry-down, or the last and longest period of your fragrance's unfolding. For example, with a floral scent, heat can warm up everything, causing it to lose its crispness.

Some people on forums have also observed that rubbing cologne into the skin can change the scent. One person noted that they tested this extensively on themselves and found that it accelerated the fragrance, causing it to go from the head to the base note faster. Another person agreed, saying that rubbing can dull the top notes.

However, not everyone agrees that rubbing cologne into the skin is a bad idea. Some people on forums have argued that it makes no difference to the scent and that you would have to rub your wrists together extremely hard and fast to disrupt the molecules.

It can make the scent less crisp

Rubbing cologne into the skin can lessen the integrity of the scent. The friction created by rubbing can distort the top notes of the cologne, which are lighter and more delicate. This can cause the scent to lose its crispness.

The top notes of a cologne are the first scents that are noticed when the cologne is applied. They are the scents that attract people to the cologne in the first place. By rubbing the cologne into the skin, these top notes are spoiled. The friction between the cologne and the skin's natural oils causes the cologne to fast-forward to the heart notes, bypassing the opening scent.

While this may not be catastrophic, it can be disappointing to miss out on the first-date stage of the cologne's scent. It can also be a waste of money, as you are not getting the full experience of the cologne that you paid for.

To preserve the integrity of the cologne and ensure it lasts longer, it is best to spritz the wrists lightly and then let the liquid sink in without rubbing. This allows the cologne to develop as intended, with the top notes dissipating more slowly and the middle and base notes unfolding over time.

It can cause stains on clothing

Why You Shouldn't Rub Cologne Onto Your Clothing

Rubbing cologne onto your clothing can cause stains. While it may be tempting to apply cologne to your clothes, especially if you are in a hurry, it is best to avoid doing so. Spraying cologne directly onto fabric can result in stains or discolouration. The fragrance may not mix well with the fabric and could leave unsightly marks. Even a quick spritz of cologne on your clothes can cause damage, so it is best to avoid this altogether.

In addition to the risk of staining, applying cologne to your clothing can also affect the scent itself. When cologne is sprayed directly onto fabric, it may not interact with your body chemistry in the same way as when it is applied to the skin. The scent may not develop and unfold as intended, and you may miss out on experiencing the different notes of the fragrance. The heat from your body helps to diffuse the scent throughout the day, allowing it to meld with your natural oils and create a unique signature scent.

Furthermore, applying cologne to your clothing can impact its longevity. The scent is likely to fade more quickly when applied to fabric, and it may not last as long as when applied to the skin. The fragrance will also be more concentrated in one area, rather than diffusing and creating a subtle enhancement to your image. By applying cologne directly to the skin, you can ensure that the scent lasts longer and blends seamlessly with your natural body chemistry.

To avoid staining your clothes and to get the most out of your cologne, it is recommended to apply it directly to the skin. Focus on pulse points such as the wrists, neck, and chest, as these areas generate heat which helps to diffuse the fragrance. Hold the bottle 3-6 inches away from your body when spraying, and start with a light application. You can always add more if needed, but it is important to avoid over-application.

It can make the scent disappear faster

Why You Shouldn't Rub Cologne

Rubbing cologne into the skin can cause the scent to disappear faster. This is because cologne is made up of a combination of top, middle, or heart, and base notes. Top notes are more delicate, lighter, and dissipate the quickest, while base notes are heavier molecules that last longer. When you rub cologne into your skin, you create friction that warms up the skin and produces natural enzymes that alter the course of the scent. This causes the top notes to burn off faster, and you end up skipping the first stage of your scent experience, going straight to the heart notes.

The amount of friction generated by rubbing your wrists together is not enough to significantly alter the fragrance or disrupt molecules. However, it can still cause the top notes to dissipate faster, and if the top notes are what attracted you to the cologne in the first place, you would want to experience that part of the scent.

Additionally, rubbing cologne into the skin can mix the perfume with your skin's natural oils, which can further change the way it smells. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid rubbing cologne into the skin and instead let it soak in naturally.

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