For most people, perfume is not just an accessory, but often also a statement. But how long does the scent stay alive and smell as expected? And what is the best way to store perfume to maximize its shelf life?
In this article, we answer your questions about perfume shelf life and give tips on proper storage, care and use so that your fragrance can become a good statement rather than a frightening one!

The shelf life of perfume varies depending on the brand, the quality of the ingredients and the fragrance concentration . High-quality perfumes, such as Eau de Parfum and Extrait de Parfum, tend to have a longer shelf life than, for example, Eau de Toilette or Eau de Cologne. This is because their fragrance oil content - the actual scent of the perfume - is higher than in the other variants (here we go into more detail about the differences between the individual types of perfume and their fragrance oil content). In addition, fragrances that are generally described as heavy and opulent last significantly longer than, for example, delicate citrus scents or light, floral perfumes.

The actual shelf life of perfume can also vary depending on storage, use and type. However, it is also important to note that the scent can change over time without this meaning that the perfume has spoiled or expired.

In addition, perfumes often have a shelf life printed on the bottom or underside of the perfume bottle or the outer packaging. This information can be recognized by the symbol of the "opened cream jar". Next to it is a number, such as 12M, 24M or 36M, which describes, as a guideline, the number of months the perfume will last after the bottle has been opened (in this case, for example, 12, 24 or 36 months).
Since this information can often be missing, you can use the following rule of thumb to determine the shelf life of perfumes:

Extrait de Parfum (up to 40% fragrance oil content) → Up to 6 years
Eau de Parfum (10-15% fragrance oil content) → Up to 5 years
Eau de Toilette (5-10% fragrance oil content) → 1 to 3 years
Eau de Cologne (2-4% fragrance oil content) → 1 to 2 years
Eau Fraîche (1-3% fragrance oil content) → 1 to 2 years

Perfume does not have a traditional expiration date and does not normally spoil like food, but it can lose intensity over time or even " go off " and in some cases take on a solvent-like, alcoholic smell. Generally speaking, if the smell changes dramatically or becomes unpleasant, there is a high probability that the perfume has spoiled and is therefore no longer shelf-stable. Another indicator that the perfume has "got off" is the color . A perfume that was originally light in color but has turned very dark, for example due to poor storage, will in most cases no longer smell the way you are used to. However, as long as the perfume bottles are stored well, perfume can often be used for years.

You read it here and there, but contrary to what some people say, you should not store perfume in the refrigerator. The extreme temperatures and humidity to which the perfume is exposed affect the quality of the scent and can even affect its consistency.

Perfume should be stored at room temperature, ideally between 15°C and 25°C . Avoid extreme temperatures and large temperature fluctuations as they can change the chemical composition of the fragrance and thus the smell and shorten the shelf life.

Perfume should be stored in the original bottle or an opaque bottle to minimize contact with light. Store it in a cool, dry place and avoid direct sunlight . Suitable places are, for example, the bedroom (due to the generally good temperature conditions) or the wardrobe. Perfumes should also be protected from a lot of movement. Because, as stupid as it sounds, perfumes are sensitive to movement . Little divas wrapped in glass, so to speak.
Professionals keep the original box and note the date on which the perfume was opened. You should also make sure that you always close the perfume with the lid. This way, the alcohol contained in the perfume cannot evaporate and no oxygen can get into the bottle.
Since almost all perfume bottles are made of glass, it is advisable to protect them from falling. This means that they should not be stored on the top shelf, as there is a greater risk of them falling and breaking.

As mentioned above, a perfume can be stored for several years after the bottle has been opened under optimal storage conditions (cool temperature, little light, little movement). The higher the fragrance content, the longer it can be stored. Extrait de Parfum and Eau de Parfum last up to 5-6 years under such conditions and therefore stay “fresh” the longest.

If the conditions under which a perfume is stored are optimal, there is hardly any difference between opened and unopened bottles. At least when it comes to the question of how long you can store perfume.
However, unopened perfume is generally better protected than perfume that has already been opened and used. The atomizer has not yet released any liquid and the atomizer head - the opening from which the perfume comes out - is still completely dry. This makes it easier to store. As soon as liquid comes out, it is exposed to external conditions and air and can therefore change its chemical state and therefore "turn off" more easily, i.e. go bad. It is only a fraction of a milliliter. However, if the perfume is not used regularly, these few milliliters can change the smell so much that it affects the rest of the perfume that comes out of this opening in the future.

We have put together a few quick tips for you that can help you get as much use out of your perfume as possible.

1. Quality is key . The higher the quality, i.e. the higher the fragrance content, the longer you will get out of it. Choosing Extrait de Parfum and Eau de Parfum can pay off here.

2. Store perfume in a dark, dry and cool place – preferably between 15°C and 25°C.

3. If you are not 100% sure about the fragrance or if it is a seasonal fragrance, then smaller bottles (e.g. 50ml instead of 100ml - here you can find more information about the shelf life of different bottle sizes ) can ensure that you use up the perfume until the last drop: what is gone does not go bad!

4. Regular cleaning : Keep your perfume bottles clean by wiping them occasionally with a dry cloth. Important: Make sure to also wipe the atomizer. This will not only keep the bottle clean, but will also prevent residues from affecting the fragrance.

5. Perfumes with atomizers - i.e. spray bottles - last longer than perfumes in dropper bottles (also called shaker bottles), as there is no skin contact with the bottle and so no other ingredients, fragrances or even bacteria can get into the perfume.

6. We recommend that you write the opening date on the bottom of the bottle or on the original box, so that you know which of your fragrances has been around the longest or when it is becoming critical and should be used up.

7. Stop, don't move! Don't move perfumes too much or shake them. Resting will extend their lifespan.