There is an unopened bottle of your favorite fragrance in your closet that has been there for over five years. Can it be used? Has it lost its qualities?
Your perfume has not lost its properties and can be used if the storage conditions were followed, explained fragrance stylist Lyudmila OSTROVSKAYA.
Perfumes have an official shelf life of three to five years. However, the fragrance can be used even after this period.
By indicating the production date, the manufacturer of the perfume protects itself from claims by those who improperly stored the perfume: in a drawer (perfume does not tolerate shaking), in the bathroom, in the refrigerator, or on an open shelf. In such conditions, a beloved fragrance may spoil earlier than the date indicated on the packaging.
How can you tell if the perfume has spoiled? The main sign is a change in the scent: a rancid note appears, reminiscent of the smell of old grandmother's trillege, in which medicines have spilled. Spoiled perfume may also become cloudy, and sediment may form in it.
According to the expert, collectors store perfumes released in the 1980s and earlier. If such perfumes are stored properly, they can continue to delight their owners with a unique scent to this day.
However, when purchasing vintage perfumes, there may be nuances. For example, some components in old perfumes are already banned for use by the IFRA (International Fragrance Association, which regulates the use of aromatic substances in the perfume industry). These substances can cause allergic reactions.
