Can Perfume Expire? Key Signs That Fragrance Has Gone Off

Does perfume expire? How long does perfume last? Are there any signs that the fragrance has gone off? These questions should be taken into consideration when storing fragrances on your dresser.

We will answer all of the above questions within this blog post.

 

Does Perfume Expire?

The short answer is yes. How long perfume lasts depends on the chemical composition and how the perfume is stored. Many perfumes don’t have a set expiry date and can last between 1-10 years.

Perfume shelf life depends on how it's stored. Perfumes that are correctly stored will last much longer than those that are not.

If the perfume has expired, applying it could result in an unpleasant smell, skin irritation, or - in extreme cases - an allergic reaction. If the perfume is more than a couple of years old, it’s probably best to test it before you use it.

 

Three simple ways to know if your perfume is expired

You can tell if your perfume has expired by simply checking for a number of key indicators, such as:

• Scent: Does the fragrance smell different?
• Appearance: has the colour changed?
• Date: some perfumes may have an expiry date.

 

Test How it smells:

One of the most obvious ways to tell if your perfume has gone off is to smell it. Some perfumes may contain fats such as vegetable oils, and can expire over time. If your scent contains no fat, it can last longer. If you notice that the scent smells vastly different from when you bought it, you can be sure it’s going off, or if it develops hints of vinegar or other more chemical notes.

 

Check how it looks:

A great way to test your perfume is to look at the colour. Perfumes whose colour becomes darker, or which develop opacity over time is a sign that they are aging. Often perfumes with a high concentration of alcohol can evaporate, becoming much more concentrated in the essential oils. If you notice less perfume in the bottle and you're sure you haven’t been using it, this is a good sign that it is expiring.

 

Check the expiry date:

Often a perfume manufacturer will print some sort of expiry date on its packaging. This can come in the form of either a batch code or a PAO (Period After Opening) number. These are typically found on the bottom of the perfume, or are printed on the box that it comes in.

 

How to store your perfume

Storing your perfume correctly can help to keep it in good condition for as long as possible.
For best results, perfume is best suited in a cool, dry and dark place such as a bedroom drawer or closet. It’s best to keep the perfume in its original container, as exposure to air can also upset the chemical balance. It can also accelerate the evaporation of the alcohol inside, making the fragrance expire faster.

 

Testing Your Perfume for Expiration

Determining whether or not your perfume has expired can be tricky. If your perfume is more than two and a half years old, you may want to test it for signs of expiration. However, if your perfume smells good and has a similar colour and consistency to when you bought it, it should be safe to apply. Some high-quality perfumes can even last years if stored correctly.

 

If you are interested in getting more details about perfumes, you can check our post on Eau de Toilette vs. Eau de Parfum

 

Discover our fragrances

Our Genesis Collection features Eau de Parfums that tell universal and personal stories: a friendship, a love at first sight, a reconnection with oneself. These are personal experiences that transform into universal ones, where everything begins. Timeless and generous perfumes that return to the essentials. Made to be embraced and rediscovered with pleasure, they act like Proust's madeleines, resonating with our most intimate and cherished memories.

 

Comprising the rarest and most precious ingredients, each Eau de Parfum in the Quest Collection magnifies a specific raw material and embodies the exceptional art of perfumery. Developed according to the tradition and high standards of French perfumery, combined with a contemporary vision of the world, the perfect harmony of these notes is the result of the olfactory expertise of our prestigious perfumers.

 

Our Jour Collection is a range that offers our perfumers complete freedom to create fragrances according to their inspiration of the day, sharing with us an intimate and personal moment. Giving free rein to their imagination, they use the most natural essences and the rarest ingredients to create authentic perfumes combining character and opulence. The Jour perfumes explore new emotions, forming a mosaic of singularities and feelings, a unique evocation in a fragrant breath.