A good perfume can last for years, but only if you store it properly. Light, heat and air gradually change the aromatic oils, and the perfume loses its freshness or starts to smell sour. Here is how to protect it.
What spoils perfume
- Light. Sunlight breaks down aromatic molecules the fastest. A clear bottle on a windowsill is the worst option.
- Heat. High temperatures speed up changes in the scent. Keep perfume away from radiators, stoves and the car in summer.
- Sudden temperature changes. Constant warming and cooling does more harm than a stable, even slightly higher temperature.
- Air. Every time the bottle stays open, oxygen gets in and oxidises the scent.
Where to keep it
The best place is cool, dark and dry: a wardrobe, a drawer or a cupboard in the bedroom. If you keep the original box too, even better, because it protects the bottle from light.
The bathroom is the worst place, even though perfumes look prettiest there. Steam and frequent temperature changes spoil them faster.
What about the fridge?
It is not necessary. A regular fridge is too humid and cold, and frequently taking the bottle out and putting it back creates exactly the sudden changes we want to avoid. A cool cupboard is perfectly enough.
How to look after decants
- Close the cap tightly after every use.
- Do not leave the decant in the car or in the sun in your bag.
- If you carry it with you, keep it in the inner pocket of your bag, away from heat.
- Put away the decants you are not currently wearing in a box or drawer.
How to tell that a perfume has gone off
If the opening smells sour, sharp or metallic, if the colour has visibly darkened or the scent has lost its fresh notes, it has probably oxidised. Base notes usually last longer, so the change is first noticeable in the first minutes after spraying.
The good news is that with proper storage most perfumes last many years. And if you always want a fresh scent, 5 ml decants are a great option, because you use them up quickly and always try something new. Browse all decants.
Read more: Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum or Parfum: what is the difference? and 5 ml or 10 ml: which decant should you choose?