How to store your perfumes?
Do you pay attention to the expiration date of a perfume? If you are a perfume lover, you have probably asked yourself: How to store your perfumes? How long does a perfume last? Maybe you have even heard the myth that perfume should be stored in a regular refrigerator? To get an overview of 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. Negative radiation destroys 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 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 proper care of your bottle, it will return you with its pleasant scent for a long time. According to experts, an average perfume has a shelf life of 3 to 5 years. However, these recommendations are given to indicate the strictest limits. So, 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 heated, store it in a dark place, such as a cabinet;
Monitor the temperature and humidity of the room. The optimal temperature to store your perfume is between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius and low humidity. The bathroom is therefore not a suitable place to store perfume. Perfumes can change color and smell 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 motionless. That is, a sliding desk drawer is not suitable in any case! Such storage will constantly shake the bottles and cause the contents to evaporate more quickly. It also puts your perfume at risk of being broken. Professionals compare the storage of perfumes to that of an expensive wine. The choice of place 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 cap on the bottle prevents the perfume from drying out prematurely. However, if you are using a perfume with a spray, make sure that it is tightly closed on the bottle;
Perfumes with light floral and citrus compositions do not retain their properties as well as denser woody and oriental fragrances. So, if you collect vintage perfumes, consider the olfactory pyramid of the perfume.
Where to store perfume?
If you are collecting your perfume collection, you will need to prepare a special place for your perfumes. As you have already learned, you should choose a dark and cool place with low humidity. Moreover, it should be a static place. So you can store your perfume in a wardrobe in your bedroom 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. Usually, 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, it is considered that unopened colognes can be stored for several years. According to European standards, 5 years. But many lovers of fine perfumes know that retro perfumes, which have existed for 20-30 years, are now much more expensive than new ones. This means that after the recommended period has passed, the product does not always deteriorate. The only nuance is that storage conditions must be observed. To get a vintage perfume, it is advisable not to open it after purchase.
Perfumery products differ in their concentration: the lightest is considered eau de toilette. It is worth noting that the more saturated the base used, the longer the fragrance lasts. The sealed packaging prevents bacteria from entering the container, and the liquid does not deteriorate for a long time.
If you want to avoid the risks, you need to know the signs that indicate that a perfume has gone bad:
A change in the color of the liquid inside the bottle. It has become significantly darker or discolored;
A change in scent or a distinctly unpleasant odor;
The fragrance 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 spoiled – don’t use it anymore. Treat yourself to a new perfume and enjoy it. If your perfume is 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 place in your closet and hide it from your eyes so you are not tempted to open it too early.
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. You too? Then read these 5 reasons why you should never do that!
Indeed, it is better to choose a cool place for the perfume. However, the temperature of the perfumes is too low. While the optimal temperature for storing perfumes is between 15 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside the refrigerator is usually around 8-10 degrees;
In addition to a temperature that is too low in principle, perfumes are very badly 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 put back in 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 door shelf. And every time you open the refrigerator, you pull 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 of the contents of the refrigerator mixing with each other can be very persistent. Especially if you love 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 hold delicate creatures like perfume. The bulbs might 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 do not use them every day, you may need a refrigerator. However, this includes wine refrigerators or special refrigerators for cosmetics. They are designed to be stored at optimal temperature and humidity. And spirits in these refrigerators are not stored on the door, but stand inside. These are the units that experts are talking about when they advise storing perfumes in the refrigerator. Perfumes and eau de toilette can be stored there for years, while 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 compliance with 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 special pleasure. Many people keep the bottles even after emptying them. If you want to not only store your perfume properly, but also integrate it into your interior, we suggest you check out the options below.
Perfume storage idea
Perfume storage box
Perfume storage unit
Your perfume will make you happy for longer.
Perfume is an investment in your image. As you know, it's all in the details.
You know everything about How to store your perfume .
To go further, you can consult the shop .
You can also read this article 5 handmade scented cold soaps .