How to Store Perfume Correctly: 2 Rules for Long-Lasting Fragrance

How Should I Store Perfume?

One of the most common questions we receive is: “How do I store my perfume correctly?”

To ensure the best longevity for your precious fragrances, we’re happy to answer this essential question here.

1. The Expiration Clock Starts Ticking

A perfume’s shelf life technically begins the moment it is opened.

Exposure to oxygen triggers the gradual breakdown of the fragrance. This starts as soon as a bottle is unsealed or the atomizer is used for the first time.

However, with proper storage, you can extend your perfume’s life by many years.

2. The Enemies of Fragrance Molecules

→ LIGHT

Perfumes should always be stored upright and ideally kept in their original packaging. Prolonged exposure to light inevitably leads to a decline in quality. It’s also wise to avoid buying perfumes that have been displayed in sunny shop windows.

Consider storing your perfumes in a beautiful box, a dark cabinet, or a drawer. As elegant as your bottles may look on a vanity or windowsill, light in all forms—especially direct sunlight—is fragrance enemy number one!

→ TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS

Perfumes do not belong in the bathroom. Dramatic changes in temperature can quickly ruin a fragrance’s composition and reduce its quality.

Every time someone showers or takes a hot bath, the humidity and temperature in the room spike rapidly—then drop again just as fast. These fluctuations destroy the molecular integrity of your scent, causing it to sour prematurely.

Avoid storing perfume in places prone to temperature swings, such as inside your car.

Some perfumes are naturally more stable than others, so there are no absolute guarantees. But if you follow these two simple rules, you can enjoy your fragrances longer without compromising on quality.