How Long Does Perfume Last? (And How To Make It Last Longer)
One spritz of quality perfume can work magic. It can keep you smelling fresh and lovely for hours. Since a little goes a long way, it’s no surprise that bottles of perfume tend to hang around your boudoir for many years. If you have one or more fragrances that are so old you can’t remember when you bought them, you might wonder exactly how long perfume lasts.
Perfume can last more than 10 years before it’s unopened, but once opened, it stays fresh for between three and five years. The scent, ingredients, and quality of the perfume all impact its longevity. Ensure you store all perfume in a cool, dry place out of sunlight, and keep it sealed tightly. Buy smaller bottles of perfume and check the expiration date before purchasing them.
If you love smelling good, then you probably have a few scents you spray on yourself. Perfume and cologne aren’t cheap, and one small bottle can easily cost more than $100. You don’t want a single drop of this fragrant potion to go to waste. Therefore, you should know how long most perfumes last, as well as all the ways you can help them last longer.
How Long Should A Bottle Of Perfume Last?
As with just about anything that has a shelf life, perfume lasts much longer when it’s unopened. It can often last more than 10 years if you never crack the seal. Once you open it and expose it to the air, it usually lasts anywhere between three and five years, but sometimes much longer.
While perfume does expire, not all types and brands of perfume expire at the same rate. The potency, type of scent, and how you store it are just a few factors that impact how long a bottle of perfume can last. Below is a list of all the factors to consider when trying to find out how long a bottle of perfume can last.
Six Factors That Impact How Long Perfume Lasts
1. Open Versus Unopened Bottles
The first factor that determines a perfume's longevity is how long it’s been opened. An unopened bottle of perfume can easily maintain its integrity for many years, as no air or moisture can seep through, and nothing can escape from the bottle.
The longer a bottle is opened, the quicker it loses its strength and essence.
2. Ingredients In The Perfume
Not all perfumes are made of the same substances. There are even different classifications of perfume. For example, an Eau de Parfum tends to last the longest, while an Eau de Cologne lasts for less time. Certain pigments within the perfume and its alcohol content also impact its longevity.
3. Where It Is Stored
Where you store your perfume can have a profound impact on how long it lasts. If you leave it in the bathroom or somewhere exposed to sunlight, it won’t last nearly as long as it would if you stored it in a cool, dark location.
4. The Bottle, And How You Maintain It
The bottle itself can impact how long a perfume lasts. Bottles designed to lock in the fragrance and only release it when you spray or dab it on, are great. Look for bottles that are thick and dark, keeping harmful UV rays out.
If you must open and apply the fragrance, and then seal it tight.
5. The Temperature It’s Kept At
Temperature can have a big impact on how long perfume lasts. Since it has a high alcohol content, high heat can damage and weaken perfume, especially if you have a room that is warmer than normal. If you store your perfume somewhere cool, it will likely have a much different expiration date than if you keep it somewhere warm.
6. The Perfume’s Scent
The scent of the perfume can impact how long it lasts. Perfume can smell like just about anything, from flowers to musk, to minerals, and even wood. Musk, wood, and amber fragrances tend to last much longer than delicate ones with herbal and floral notes.
Seven Ways To Help Your Perfume Last Longer
1. Store It Somewhere Cool
One of the easiest and most effective ways to help your perfume last longer is to keep it somewhere cool. High heat can make your perfume evaporate, separate, and expire much faster than normal.
Find a cool place, either in a cabinet or somewhere in your bedroom, and keep your perfume stored there. This can add months or years to your perfume's lifespan.
2. Keep It Out Of The Sun
In addition to heat, perfume hates the sun. UV rays can quickly break down perfume. Sunlight can also heat the bottle. Never leave your perfume out on a counter that is exposed to direct sunlight. Consider putting your perfume where you store your cosmetics, which should also be kept out of the sun.
Keep your perfume bottles in a closed cabinet or a room that has no natural light. This will ensure sunlight doesn’t harm the expensive fragrant liquid inside.
3. Choose Your Scent Wisely
If you want a bottle of perfume that will last you many years, then choose the right scent. Not all scents stay fresh and potent for the same period. Nuanced and delicate perfumes, especially those with herbal, floral, and citrus notes, don’t last as long as the average perfume.
Instead, opt for bold perfumes with notes of musk, sandalwood, and amber. These fragrances are proven to last and linger longer than normal, both inside and outside the bottle.
4. Don’t Store It In Your Bathroom Or Anywhere Humid
Humidity can also damage your perfume and cause it to lose its effectiveness sooner than later. When your home is too humid, this moisture can find its way into your perfume.
Once in your perfume, water can cause a chemical reaction, which can alter the smell and also significantly weaken the fragrance. This is why you should not store perfume in your bathroom, especially close to your shower.
5. Choose Smaller Bottles When Possible
Since perfume lasts significantly longer when it’s still sealed, opt to try buying smaller bottles when you can. Smaller bottles tend to be used faster, which means they aren’t open that long. This will ensure your perfume lasts longer than you need it to.
It might be tempting to buy a larger bottle and save a few dollars. If, however, you don’t think you will use a large bottle of perfume in fewer than five years, you may want to reconsider buying that fragrance in bulk.
6. Apply Perfume To Moisturized Skin
If you are worried about using up your expensive perfume too fast, then ensure you are applying it correctly. When you apply perfume to dry skin, it can evaporate and lose its effects quickly. Before applying your perfume, especially an expensive fragrance, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer.
A fragrance-free moisturizer is less likely to cause your skin to itch, and it will not alter the smell of your perfume. This will allow you to use less perfume and also apply it less frequently.
7. Check The Expiration Date Before Purchasing
Lastly, just as you would do with any item you want to last a long time, you must check the expiration date on your perfume. Most fragrances are sold with an expiration date. It is usually found near the bar code.
Sure, perfume lasts years. But if you find a fragrance on a major discount at a department store, there’s a chance it has already sat on shelves for years. To ensure you only buy perfumes that are freshly made, always check the expiration date.
Summing Up How Long Perfume Lasts And How To Store It
Perfume can boost your confidence, help you stand out, and even make your overall appearance shine brighter. But to get the full benefits of perfume, it can’t be so old that it’s no longer fresh. Perfume generally lasts three to five years once it’s opened, but it can last longer if you take care of it.
Keep perfume bottles out of sunlight, and store them in a cool, dry place. Opt to buy smaller bottles, and always remember to check the expiration date before you buy a bottle.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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