How to store your perfumes?
Do you pay attention to the expiration date of a perfume? If you're a perfume lover, you've probably wondered: How should you store your perfumes? How long does a perfume last? Perhaps you've even heard the myth that perfume should be stored in a regular refrigerator? To explore these questions and dispel all the myths, read our article.
In this article you will learn:
- Where to store your perfume
- How to preserve your perfume
- How long does a perfume last?
Store perfumes in a dark place, away from direct sunlight. Sub-zero temperatures destroy the molecular structure of perfume components. Optimal conditions: room temperature between 16 and 25 degrees, 70% humidity.
How to store your perfumes?
You've probably read a lot of different advice on how to store perfumes. The problem is that these tips often contradict each other. In this article, you'll learn some recommendations for storing your perfumes.
General rules for preserving perfume
To begin with, all perfumes undergo changes in their composition over time. But if you take good care of your bottle, it will return its pleasant fragrance to you for a long time. According to experts, an average perfume has a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. However, these recommendations are given to indicate the strictest limits. Thus, if a perfume has passed its expiration date, this does not mean that it will lose its properties or be harmful to your skin. It all depends on the components of the perfume and how it is stored. As a rule, perfumes retain their properties much longer than cosmetics because they contain alcohol, the ideal preservative.
So here are the basic rules for storing perfumes:
The first rule is to avoid direct sunlight on the bottle. Ultraviolet light can destroy the molecular structure of the perfume. To prevent the perfume from being exposed to sunlight and heating, store it in a dark place, such as a wardrobe;
Monitor the room temperature and humidity. The optimal temperature for storing your perfume is between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius with low humidity. Therefore, the bathroom is not a suitable place to store perfume. Perfumes can change color and scent due to constant humidity. However, a place that is too dry can dry out your perfume. A place near a radiator is also a good place to avoid. The heat causes your perfume to become gaseous and can evaporate even through the lid. The best place is often your bedroom or office;
Choose a storage space where your bottles will remain stationary. That is, a sliding desk drawer is definitely not suitable! Such storage will constantly shake the bottles and cause the contents to evaporate more quickly. This also puts your perfume at risk of breaking. Professionals compare the storage of perfumes to that of an expensive wine. The choice of location and conditions must be considered with the utmost care;
Keep your perfume upright and never turn it upside down or on its side. Always close the perfume after use. The bottle cap prevents the perfume from drying out prematurely. However, if you are using a perfume with a spray, make sure it is tightly closed on the bottle;
Fragrances with light floral and citrus compositions don't retain their properties as well as denser woody and oriental fragrances. So, if you collect vintage perfumes, consider the fragrance pyramid.
Where to store perfume?
If you're gathering your perfume collection, you'll need to prepare a special place for it. As you've already learned, you should choose a dark, cool place with low humidity. It should also be a static location. So, you can store your perfume in a bedroom closet or on a nightstand and keep it away from light.
How long does a perfume last?
Does perfume have an expiration date? Yes, there is. Typically, the expiration date is indicated on the packaging or hidden in a barcode. Manufacturers calculate the expiration date of eau de parfum and other perfumery products in different ways:
From the time of manufacture;
From the moment the bottle is opened by the customer;
Only the bottling date is indicated, which gives no information on the time before the perfume begins to lose its qualities;
Often, European and American companies do not include the date if the product is capable of lasting more than two and a half years.
Traditionally, unopened colognes are considered to be able to be stored for several years. According to European standards, this is 5 years. However, many fine fragrance lovers know that vintage perfumes, which have been around for 20-30 years, are now much more expensive than new ones. This means that after the recommended period, the product does not always deteriorate. The only caveat is that storage conditions must be observed. To obtain a vintage perfume, it is recommended not to open it after purchase.
Perfumery products are distinguished by their concentration: the lightest is considered an eau de toilette. It is worth noting that the more saturated the base used, the longer the fragrance lasts. Sealed packaging prevents bacteria from entering the container, and the liquid does not deteriorate for a long time.
If you want to avoid risks, you need to know the signs that indicate a perfume has gone bad:
A change in the color of the liquid inside the bottle. It has darkened considerably or become discolored;
A change in scent or a distinctly unpleasant odor;
Perfume becomes irritating when applied to the skin.
These signs don't always indicate that the perfume is expired. The color of the liquid may change due to the gradual evaporation of the coloring ingredients in the perfume. The scent may change over time as the upper citrus notes escape. But these are all reasons to double-check the shelf life of your perfume. If it's clear that the perfume is damaged, stop using it. Treat yourself to a new scent and enjoy it. If your perfume has expired, you can use it as a scent diffuser when cleaning by adding it to water.
How to store unopened perfume?
Packaged perfumes have many advantages and are much easier to store. They are well protected from sunlight and contact with air. If you buy a perfume for a collection and want to use it as a vintage perfume after a few decades, leave it in its packaging. Choose a cool, dark spot in your wardrobe and hide it from view so you won't be tempted to open it too soon.
Should you put your perfume in the fridge?
It's amazing how popular this myth has become! The problem is, when you see this advice, most people picture a regular grocery store refrigerator. Do you too? Then read these 5 reasons why you should never do that!
Indeed, it's best to choose a cool place for your perfume. However, the temperature of perfumes is too low. While the optimal storage temperature for perfumes is between 15 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside the refrigerator is generally around 8-10 degrees.
In addition to a temperature that is normally too low, perfumes are also severely affected by temperature fluctuations. Now imagine that you regularly use perfume and take it out of the refrigerator several times a day. From a temperature of 8 degrees, the perfume is heated to 22-25 degrees and then returned to the refrigerator. This type of thermal stress can negatively affect the properties of the perfume.
The most likely place to store spirits in the refrigerator is on a shelf near the door. And every time you open the refrigerator, you're pulling on the door, shaking your perfume bottles. This is unhealthy and exposes the perfume to unnecessary agitation.
One of the main dangers of this storage method is its proximity to food. The odors from the refrigerator's contents can be very persistent, especially if you like and store French cheeses in the refrigerator. Now imagine how this can affect the delicate aroma of your perfume.
And the lighting in a grocery store refrigerator isn't designed to contain delicate creatures like perfume. The bulbs could shine too brightly every time you open the door. And you already know you need to keep your perfume in a dark place.
But if you plan to store collectible perfumes for a long time and don't use them every day, you may need a refrigerator. This includes wine refrigerators or special cosmetic refrigerators. They are designed to be stored at optimal temperature and humidity. And the spirits in these refrigerators are not stored on the door, but are held inside. These are the units experts are talking about when they advise storing perfumes in the refrigerator. Perfumes and colognes can be stored in them for years, whereas in a regular refrigerator, perfumes deteriorate quite quickly.
Perfume storage: idea, box and furniture
Perfume aficionados have their own storage trends. In addition to practicality and adherence to all the rules, you want to keep an eye on aesthetics. After all, the best designers work on creating the bottles. Often, these bottles become a work of art. For this reason, looking at perfume bottles is a particular pleasure. Many people keep the bottles even after emptying them.
You know everything about How to store your perfume .
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