Guest post by Abbie Maguire
If you’ve had the same fragrance for months or years, you may have noticed that its strength has decreased or that it has acquired an unusual odour. You could wonder whether cologne can go bad.
So, can perfume expire? Yes, it certainly can, and not all is lost since there are a number of things you can do to extend its life. Before you buy perfume online, be sure you understand the factors that impact the life of perfume, such as quality, scent family, and how you store it.
Can perfume expire?
Perfume and also aftershave do fade. However, the chemical make-up of the scent determines how long they last. Many perfumes aren’t date labelled and can endure anywhere from 1 to 10 years. However, the average lifespan of a fragrance is three to five years, and most of Shay & Blue’s scents will continue to perform for at least that long.
Perfumes with heavier base notes, according to experts, have the longest lifespan. Some people think of these fragrances as fine wines; they get better with time. Oriental scents, such as those containing oud and amber, are examples of scents with heavier base notes. When the lighter base notes are prominent, a scent is frequently more volatile. Citrus, flower, and grassy fragrances, among other things, don’t usually last as long as others.
The shelf life of a perfume depends on a number of things, including how you keep it. The shelf life of perfume is determined by a variety of factors, including the container in which it’s stored and how you store it.
How to tell if your perfume has expired
You can tell if your perfume is no longer viable by checking for a number of distinct symptoms; scent – does it smell different, appearance – has the colour altered, and date – some perfumes may have an expiration date.
How does the perfume smell?
One of the most apparent ways to find out if your perfume is no longer viable is to smell it. Some scents, such as those that include vegetable oils, may deteriorate over time. If there are no fats in your scent, it will last longer. If the fragrance changes dramatically from when you purchased it, or if it develops hints of vinegar or other chemical scents, it’s going off.
How does it look?
It’s also an excellent method to evaluate your fragrance. When a perfume’s colour changes or becomes opaque over time, it’s an indication that it is getting old. Alcohol-rich perfumes frequently evaporate, becoming considerably more concentrated in the oils. If there is less perfume in the bottle and you’re sure you haven’t been using it, this implies that the product is nearing expiration.
What is the expiry date?
Some perfume manufacturers include an expiration date on their packaging. This might be a batch code or a PAO (Period After Opening) number, which is usually imprinted on the bottom of the perfume or on the box it comes in.
