Whether you have a signature fragrance or more of a 'perfume wardrobe', when it comes to scent it's typically an investment rather than a spur of the moment purchase, and most of us use it to the last drop.
You might try and make your favourite bottles last for as long as possible - perhaps only wearing them for special occasions. But here is your heads up - perfume does have a shelf life, like all beauty products. And just like eating something you found in the back of the cupboard with a best before of 2007, spritzing an old fragrance does come with a risk factor.
I spoke to Alex Goddard, fragrance expert and Head of Training at UK-based fragrance distributor Kenneth Green, to find out how to keep yours at its best.
How long does unopened perfume last?
The largest component of any fragrance is alcohol. Considering you spray scent on your skin, this might sounds like something to avoid, but Alex says that 'this is essential for the diffusion of the scent. It allows us to spray, wear and smell our fragrance - but it also acts as a preservative'. Perfumes with a higher concentration of alcohol will keep the scent molecules from oxidizing and changing for longer. Unopened fragrance could potentially last for decades, according to Alex. 'But companies don't test for that, so will give a guarantee of how long to use it after opening'.
To find this recommendation, look for a little symbol (usually on the bottom of the bottle) that looks like an open pot, with a number and the letter M; this is how many months it is safe to use on the skin. Generally it's 36 months, so consider this your signal to spritz with more abandon. That being said, as perfume doesn't expire in quite the same way food does, if treated correctly you can get away with using a bottle for five years or so.
How can you tell if a fragrance has expired?
Alex tells me this is not an easy one to answer, as it's entirely up to the raw materials that are used to create the fragrance. It's rumoured that if the liquid changes colour that it's gone off, but Alex says that 'colour may change but that doesn't necessarily mean its bad. The scent may evolve but that doesn't mean it's worse, as the raw materials (especially natural ones) can develop over time, like a well-aged wine'. So while a perfume might not fade in intensity so much, the fragrance can change. Basically, your nose is the best judge. If it smells bad, get rid.
Can expired perfume be toxic?
With reports of skin irritation and even allergic reactions, Alex clarifies that 'the safest answer is to not take any risk. As with skincare and cosmetics, if you continue to wear it, you do so at your own risk.'
How do I keep my perfume in good condition for longer?
KEEP AWAY FROM LIGHT
You might want to display your bottles with pride but if you really care about your fragrance, don't. Light will break down the molecules in the formula and cause it to age quicker.
KEEP IT AWAY FROM HEAT (AND OUT OF YOUR BATHROOM)
The natural enemies of fragrance are light, heat and humidity - Alex tells me the very last place you should consider storing them is in your bathroom. The same as with light, the formula's aging process will be sped up.
KEEP THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING
Alex says the best place to keep your scent is in the original box, in a cool dark place. But to avoid extra oxidation keep it in the original bottle too, rather than decanting into smaller atomizers when on travels, as it introduces oxygen and possible contaminants into the formula.
USE TO THE LAST DROP
Once used, oxygen is in contact with the fragrance, meaning the chance of the perfume changing is higher. Don't save it, spritz it.