Does perfume expire? Believe it or not, all fragrances do have a shelf life. If you’re anything like us and have been holding onto the same bottles of perfume for years, you might want to listen up, because it’s time to kiss some of your prized collection goodbye. There are a few ways to tell if your favorite fragrance is expiring, from a change in smell to a difference in texture. Ahead, we chatted with two fragrance experts, Matthew Mileo, founder of Milèo New York, and Frances Shoemack, founder of Abel, about what those signs are.
Most fragrance manufacturers will recommend tossing your bottle after anywhere from one to three years (check your label), but since fragrance doesn’t expire in the same sense that food does, it’s sometimes okay to keep using a bottle for four, even five years.
Signs Your Perfume or Fragrance Has Expired
All fragrances age, or “develop,” as Shoemack says, and this development isn’t always a bad thing. “One of our fragrances, Cobalt Amber, develops really beautifully in the bottle — the color gets darker and the scent smoother. We say like a fine wine, it gets better with age!” says Shoemack. “But like wine, not all scents will age gracefully. When it starts to smell sour or metallic or any other note you dont like, then you know the time is up.”
For more signs your perfume has gone sour (literally!), keep reading.
Types of Perfumes and Fragrances That Expire the Fastest
“I always find that fragrances which are base note-heavy (think: woody, mossy, earthy, resinous scents) last significantly longer in the bottle (and stay truer) than top note-heavy fragrances composed of citrus and aldehydes,” Mileo says. This is because woods (like sandalwood, buddha wood, etc.,) resin and plant oils (like patchouli) actually get better and more stable with age, according to Mileo. Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace is one such example — in this fragrance, you’ll find warm, woodsy base notes of vanilla accord, Peru Balsam resinoid and cashmeran.
Heavier fragrances are more likely to smell better with age, as opposed to their lighter counterparts. Fragrances that contain a lot of citrus notes, such as bergamot orange, tend to turn sour, while heavier notes like vanilla will become “darker and more leathery,” Shoemack says.
“More delicate fragrances that contain lemon, orange, mint or bergamot can expire faster because they have the tendency to mix with other components in the fragrance in a more aggressive manner, which can alter its stability,” says Mileo. If you love citrus fragrances but want to make sure they last a long time, look for ones with woodsy notes, resins or plant oils at the base, such as the Giorgio Armani Beauty Acqua di Gioia Eau de Parfum, where zesty lemon top notes open up to notes of sultry jasmine and a grounded cedarwood base.
Additionally, oil-based fragrances will expire more rapidly than alcohol-based fragrances.
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FAQ
How long lasting are body mists?
How long does so body mist last?
Is perfume still good after 20 years?
How long does the body shop body mist last?
How long does a body mist last?
Approximately 2-3 hours. Body mist has a lower concentration of essential oils compared to perfume, so it’s lighter and more buildable. Keep a bottle in your purse, stashed in your car or placed in a desk drawer for a quick spritz all day. How much do I need? It depends on how present you want the fragrance to be.
How long does nutmeg stay in your body?
Digestion lasts approximately six to eight hours. This is the time that the nutmeg will be in the body. Once the food passes through the entire digestive tract, the nutrients are absorbed, and the waste is eliminated.
Can you use expired body mist?
While using an expired body mist may not always be harmful, it’s best to err on the side of caution and dispose of the mist if you notice any changes in scent, consistency, or experience any skin irritation. With proper storage and care, you can prolong the lifespan of your body mist and continue to enjoy its benefits for longer.
How do I know if my body mist has expired?
Change of colour: The first sign your body mist has expired is a change in colour. The combination of oxidation and light can cause the body mist to turn darker. Change of overall scent: The smell can also change due to oxidation – it sometimes becomes metallic, acidic or sour. These changes take place over some time.