Fragrance, like other cosmetics, has a shelf life. But unlike most make-up, it can be hard to replace, extremely expensive, and once something happens to it, there’s no putting it back together. Because fragrance is so vulnerable to degradation from a number of factors, smart storage practices are important. Want to know how to keep your favorite fragrances smelling exactly as they should for as long as possible? Here’s what to do.
Keep them away from temperature extremes.
Most of the time, this means heat, but people who attempt to put their scents in the freezer to keep them fresh often also end up destroying the integrity of the fragrances. The best temperature is a good bit colder than a comfortable room. If you want the perfect conditions, try storing your stuff in a cooler.
Don’t put them in your bathroom.
It makes sense to put your favorite perfume on your sink, but it’s actually not a good idea. Bathrooms are hot and humid, which makes them prime areas for breaking down the fragrance’s molecules and introducing bacteria.
Keep your stuff in the dark.
Light exposure degrades lots of molecules, including those in most fragrances. So keeping your scents somewhere with little to no light exposure is best.
Use opaque bottles.
If you have to have your fragrances out on display, transfer them to frosted or wholly opaque bottles, since clear bottles allow light to affect the fragrance ingredients.
Don’t leave the top off.
Scents that are alcohol-based have a rapid rate of evaporation once they’re exposed to air, so forgetting to seal up bottles means that your scent will dry up sooner.
Written by Miriam Lacey, this article originally appeared on BellaSugar.
Image: Romanchuck Dimitry/Shutterstock.com
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30 Responses
Thanks for the tips! Will try this, always concerned how safe they are stored.
(**;) Good to know!
Wow this is an interesting article and great tips thanks
WOW!! really didn’t know all of these things.Very helpful hints and advise
Great article and advice!
this verifies where I keep my bottles! In a cupboard that gets no direct sunlight :)
Great tip !
Interesting, I display my perfumes and sometimes leave the top off :-(…….. thanks for the tips, now ill make them last longer.
I keep my perfume in a dark cupboard, where I find it last the best. Most people these days have open plan bathrooms that does not change temp that much. The bottles are always beautiful and it is almost a crime to hide them, but this is the only way that it will last forever. Love the Chanel private range that got a magnet lid that seal the fragrince of after use. An something I can add, is never to rub your perfume after application.
I’ve been a very bad girl. I take mine everywhere with me in my bag.