The main signs of spoiled perfumes. How to properly store perfume

Does perfume have an expiration date?

It is traditionally believed that unopened colognes last for several years. In accordance with European standards - 5, according to Russian GOSTs - 3 years. But many fans of exquisite fragrances know that retro perfumes that have been around for 20-30 years are now much more expensive than new ones. This means that after the recommended period, the product does not always deteriorate. The only caveat is that storage conditions must be observed. To obtain vintage perfume, it is advisable not to open it after purchase.

Aromatic products vary in concentration: eau de toilette is considered the lightest. When answering the question of whether perfumes have an expiration date, it should be noted that the more saturated the base is used, the longer the scent is stored. Due to the tightness of the packaging, bacteria do not get inside the container, and the liquid does not spoil for a long time. But if the bottle has already been opened, with the cap closed it will last up to two years. When the lid is open or you constantly use toilet water - no more than one year.

Where is the expiration date indicated?

In accordance with clause 11 of Section I of Government Decree No. 55 of January 19, 1998, every manufacturer, including perfumes and cosmetics, is obliged to indicate on the product packaging basic information about it, including the permissible period of use. This means that information about the expiration date of a perfume should be found on its box or bottle. This information can be presented as follows:

• in the form of an inscription, for example, “The shelf life of perfume after opening is 5 years from the date of manufacture”;
• in the form of an image of an open can, in the center of which is a combination of numbers and letters, for example, “36M” means that a particular perfume has a 36-month lifespan, that is, 3 years.

The icon is more often found on packages. Considering the fact that 90% of perfume manufacturers are foreign companies, it is more convenient and easier to place all the necessary information on the packaging in the form of pictures, rather than words.

Where to look

All reputable brands include consumer-relevant information on the packaging. They should be located on the cologne itself or its box. There are many sites on the Internet that will help you check the expiration date of a perfume using the code of a specific cosmetic brand. Using an online calculator, you can find out for what period the selected colognes retain their original properties. For the convenience of customers, special applications have been developed for mobile devices that allow you to decipher the manufacturer’s code right in the store.

How to determine

When going to the perfume department, carefully study the packaging. Foreign brands often use special codes that are deciphered using a standard algorithm. The appropriate analysis method is chosen based on the labeling and the specific manufacturer.

Manufacturers calculate the shelf life of eau de parfum and other cosmetic products in different ways:

• from the moment of manufacture;
• from the time the bottle is opened by the buyer;
• indicate only the bottling date, without giving information about how long the perfume will begin to lose its quality;
• Often European and American companies do not put dates if the product can be stored for more than two and a half years.

By batch code

This is a set of numbers and letters that will give information about the recommended storage period and batch number. Unlike a barcode, it is not unified and varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. It is usually located next to the barcode on a sticker located on the bottle or side of the box. For example, the expiration date of perfumes according to the Christian Dior brand code is determined as follows: the first digit indicates the year of production. The following characters of the Latin alphabet correspond to the months of the year. In this case, “a” is January, “b” is the next month, and so on. To decrypt, you need to ask the store clerk for a table developed by the manufacturer. It can also be obtained on the official website of the brand or found on the Internet on resources dedicated to cosmetics. There are many online calculators on the Internet where you can enter a product code and find out how long your irresistible scent will last. But there is no single database where all manufacturers would be collected. The information is provided by private developers, so it cannot be called completely reliable.

By barcode

Many people pay attention to the numbers depicted on the box, above which there are stripes of different lengths. But for an ordinary person it is extremely difficult to decipher a set of symbols and determine the freshness of an aromatic product from them. A regular barcode on a package carries almost complete information about the company that manufactured it and its characteristics. Using it you can find detailed product descriptions on special websites.

The first digits in the encoding indicate the country of origin. For example, 46 is Russia, and Finland is 64. The barcode may not have numbers, and this does not mean that the product is fake. Unfortunately, it is impossible to check whether eau de toilette and perfume have an expiration date. But it is possible to find out the authenticity of the perfume, because this guarantees that it is of high quality and will be stored for a long time. To do this, just perform simple arithmetic calculations:

1. Add up all the even numbers in the barcode.
2. Multiply the resulting amount by three.
3. Get the sum of all odd digits except the thirteenth.
4. Sum up the two results obtained earlier.
5. Cross out the first digit from the resulting number.
6. Subtract the result from ten. It should be equal to the thirteenth digit. If everything matches, then the barcode is genuine.

What can be considered late

Fashionistas are often interested in how to find out the expiration date of perfumes and perfumes, but often a visual inspection is sufficient. One of the characteristic signs is sediment at the bottom of the container. Most often it has a brown or yellow tint. In such a situation, it is not always correct to conclude that perfume is unsuitable for use. If the product is fresh, sediment may indicate that it is based on synthetic oils.

The second symptom is that the liquid has become cloudy or changed color. In this scenario, it is better not to use cologne. The third sign is the appearance of an unpleasant odor due to the entry of components into a chemical reaction. Such a liquid will not please its owner, but on the contrary will cause rejection.

Often the information on the packaging leads to doubts about vintage scents. As a perfume ages, some notes may disappear. The light essential oils contained in the top chords evaporate first. But the rest of the pyramid is only revealed better and refined, like an elite wine. Therefore, perfumes with heavy aromatic ingredients that have a long period of use often become collectible objects.

Storage conditions for an opened bottle

It is convenient to associate the storage of eau de toilette with the preservation of expensive wines. Alcoholic grape drinks are stored in the cellar inside sealed bottles without access to sunlight. The wine spends many years in an almost motionless state, no one shakes it. If it becomes clear how to find out the expiration date of perfumes and perfumes, it is useful to remember what conditions are optimal for its existence. Perfumes should be kept in stable conditions, without temperature fluctuations and strong dampness.

Many ladies place their perfume collection in the most visible place, such as a dressing table. But this decision is wrong, since in the light the aromatic components will evaporate and lose their properties. For perfect preservation of the sealed product, you must follow the following rules:

• It is important to keep the bottle stationary. You cannot put it in a dresser drawer or carry it with you in a bag.
• The recommended indoor humidity level is no more than 70 percent, without sudden changes.
• In order for the information on the product packaging to be useful, it is necessary to observe the temperature regime during storage. The optimal temperature is from +20 to +25 degrees.
• Keep in tightly closed packaging, protect from direct sunlight. Otherwise, alcohol, which is the main preservative, will evaporate.
• It is not recommended to leave perfumes on the bathroom shelf.
• Particles of foreign materials should not get inside the bottle. Therefore, when using a bottle without a sprayer, do not press the neck of the container close to your skin or clothing. Otherwise, the components will react with particles of the epidermis or fabric fibers.
• There is no need to put the precious aroma in the refrigerator; it deteriorates at low temperatures.
• If some of the valuable liquid is spilled, you cannot put it back into the bottle.

Ladies who prefer to place the bottle in a visible place need to spend the perfume before the expiration of the period of use. For home exhibitions, it is better to use universal scents that can be worn daily. Then they will not stand idle for years and deteriorate.

How to store eau de toilette at home

This perfume is for winter, this eau de toilette is for summer, this perfume is better suited for spring. Sound familiar? Many users have to put aside their favorite scent until next season. I want to ensure safety. After all, one’s own savings are often spent on purchasing the original.

Where do you store your perfumes?

In the roomIn the bathroom

Storage rules:

• factory packaging . You cannot pour it into another container, use jars or bottles. The exception is special bottles for bottled eau de toilette. But you need to use these compositions first;
• box . It protects the contents of the bottle from sunlight, the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation, and subsequent destruction;

• lack of moisture . Perfume should not be stored in bathrooms, near sinks, aquariums, or swimming pools;
• Down with temperature changes . Repeated cooling and heating leads to distortion of the perfume composition and destruction of aromatic substances.

The shelf life of perfume is 3-5 years. An opened bottle is used and stored for up to 18 months in a dry place at room temperature. Natural oil perfumes are more susceptible to deterioration. The shelf life does not exceed three years in the original container.

In a refrigerator

A common question is whether it is possible to store your favorite perfume in the refrigerator. Many people leave it on the side shelf next to saline or other medications. This cannot be done.

At such low temperatures, perfume compositions are destroyed. After 2-3 months there will be changes in the aroma and the bottle will go in the trash. You also can’t freeze it; you shouldn’t leave it in unheated rooms for a long time.

Other storage methods

Suitable places:

• dry cabinets;
• closed shelves;
• cabinets in the room.

Not suitable for storage:

• bathroom, kitchen;
• windowsill;
• lockers in the bathhouse, sauna;
• car interior;
• refrigerator, freezer.

How to store perfume:

1. Close tightly after use.
2. Place in a box. If the original packaging is lost, find an alternative. A container or paper bag will do.
3. Place in a dry place. Keep at room temperature.

Proper storage of perfumes
Closed packages can be placed next to lenses, hygiene and disinfectants. But they spoil food products, spices, and medicines.

When using products without a sprayer, keep your fingers clean. After use, we recommend treating the neck with an alcohol wipe.

Is it possible to extend the expiration date

You should not try to add preservatives to your perfume yourself. Some ladies, when the bottle is half empty, top it up with alcohol or vodka. As a result, the composition deteriorates. But every effort can be made to ensure that the creation of perfume art is preserved for as long as possible.

First rule. It is unmistakable to choose perfumes for storage. Options made from synthetic components or essential oils retain their quality longer. For long-term canning, use only original branded products with high-quality perfume composition. If you are going to receive a retro scent, it is better not to print the purchased product. There is also no need to pour it into another container.

Pay special attention to closing the lid tightly. If the bottle cannot be closed hermetically, you should buy a special seal for the lid. Containers with a sprayer better preserve the quality of the product, so they are more suitable for long-term storage. For daily use, you can buy a small bottle with a miniature of the composition. Then the remaining contents of the main bottle can be left in the pantry or dark closet for as long as possible.

Find the ideal place for the bottle - dark, without changes in temperature and humidity. Perfumes deteriorate from constant shaking; it is recommended to leave them in the bedroom or closet. Remember to close the lid tightly if you occasionally open it to inhale the bouquet.

The bottle should be stored upright, not on its side or upside down. Dry perfumes that do not contain alcohol will last a long time in an airtight aluminum jar or cardboard box. The biggest enemy of aromatic components is heat, from which they quickly turn into a gaseous state and evaporate even through the lid. Therefore, there should be no heating devices nearby.

You should not mix different colognes with each other, otherwise they may react with each other. Then the smell will deteriorate, and when applied to the skin it can cause irritation. This applies even to identical perfumes from different batches, because manufacturers constantly modify the composition.

How to store an opened bottle

In order for your favorite perfume to delight you with a pleasant aroma longer, the consumer must comply with certain storage conditions after opening the bottle:

1. Perfume should be in its original packaging - this will avoid direct sunlight;
2. The box of perfume should be stored away from places with high humidity. Under no circumstances should perfume be stored in the bathroom, as this will negatively affect its quality;
3. Constant temperature fluctuations can also cause perfume to deteriorate;
4. If the bottle does not have a sprayer, you must close the cap tightly after each use. Otherwise, the alcohol from the perfume will evaporate, and with it the smell.

Contrary to popular belief, you should not store perfume in the refrigerator. Such a low temperature negatively affects the quality of the perfume, so it will become unusable after a couple of months.

Basic Rules

Naturally, to know whether a perfume has an expiration date, it is better to ask the store directly. The product itself must be sold in glass, not plastic, otherwise it will deteriorate very quickly. Having chosen the option you like, you need to find where the information about the storage period is located. Many leading brands indicate barcodes and batch codes next to each other. On perfumes produced in the Russian Federation, two dates are usually simply indicated. In the case of a famous foreign brand, you can use a ready-made formula for decoding.

If the brand is little-known, you should ask the sales consultant to demonstrate a table with batch codes. This information should also be posted on the manufacturer’s official website. If there is no sign, it is convenient to use an online calculator or mobile application to read it. When purchasing vintage perfumes, there is no point in paying attention to this parameter. To check whether a perfume is suitable for use, it is worth inspecting the perfume. If the liquid has a strange color, there is sediment at the bottom of the container, or there is a musty smell, there is no need to buy it.

Be sure to follow storage rules immediately after purchase. Otherwise, the aroma will deteriorate before the end of the date specified by the manufacturer. Even newly released eau de toilette will quickly dry out and lose some of its notes if not handled correctly.

How to properly store perfume?

Most girls spray perfume on their hands immediately after purchasing it. But you don’t need to do this, but follow these tips:

• As soon as you come home, you need to immediately put the perfume in a dark, cool place. This must be done in order for the molecular structure of the perfume to be restored.
• If you bought yourself a perfume with a sprayer, then first spray it several times to the side, and then on yourself. The fact is that some of the perfume remains in the spray bottle after previous use. This part of the toilet water is constantly in contact with the air, and therefore disappears over time.

Risk of using expired products

If a person continues to use stale perfume, then this is fraught with consequences for him. Often, buyers regret the amount spent and do not want to throw away their favorite bottle. If you use a damaged product, complications may arise. Allergic reactions begin, not only in those who wear this eau de toilette, but also in those around them. This often happens to older people who accumulated many packages many years ago and stored them for decades.

If you already know how to check the shelf life of perfumes and eau de toilette after opening, then to prevent the product from deteriorating, you should not allow the main preservative, alcohol, to evaporate. Without it, the components are no longer disinfected and begin to deteriorate. As a result, fungi or bacteria grow in the liquid. Using such perfume can lead to hives, respiratory tract irritation, fungal diseases, headaches and even asthma.

Shelf life of oil perfumes

General rules

Perfume and cosmetic products are among those products for which the manufacturer is required to indicate an expiration date*.

The expiration date also functions as a warranty period.

Selling expired perfumes and cosmetics is prohibited!

The sale of perfumery and cosmetic products for which an expiration date should be established, but it is not established, is prohibited!

If the product still does not have an expiration date, the buyer has the right to submit claims to the seller (manufacturer, authorized organization or authorized individual entrepreneur, importer) regarding defects in the product if defects in the product are discovered.

The manufacturer sets an expiration date for the perfume and cosmetic products it produces - this is the period after which the product is considered unsuitable for its intended use , and this is also the period of responsibility of the manufacturer (seller) to the consumer . During this period, you can make claims to the manufacturer or seller regarding the quality of the product, demand compensation for losses or damage caused.

In other words, during the specified period, the manufacturer provides consumers with the opportunity to use/use its product for its intended purpose and is responsible for shortcomings that arise through the fault of the manufacturer. And the consumer, during the expiration date, has the right to submit claims to the manufacturer regarding significant deficiencies in the purchased product.

In our country, all this is in compliance with paragraphs 1, 2, 4, 5 of Article 5 of the Law of the Russian Federation “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”.

The expiration date markings on the packaging or bottle may be:

— UBD (Use By Date) – “use before date: XXXX”

— EXP (EXPiration date) – “expiration date”

- BBD (Best Before Day) - “best used before day: XXXX”

Sometimes both the production date and the expiration date are indicated on the packaging or bottle.

But the designation MFG (ManuFacturinG - “production”) indicates the date of production/production. Sometimes the manufacturer indicates a period of time, calculated from the date of manufacture of the perfume, during which this perfume is suitable for use. Then you need to look for the MFG designation on the packaging and count the deadline yourself.

Oil perfume

With oil perfumes, not everything is so simple and everything is a little different...

Depending on the composition of the formula, the shelf life of oil-based perfumes can range from 2 to 4 years. More detailed information is usually indicated on the perfume packaging or on the bottle itself. However, the information on the packaging is not a sentence to stop using it, because... The manufacturer sets this date based on the minimum shelf life of the oil perfume.

If the buyer stores and uses oil perfumes in violation of the necessary rules, then the minimum expiration date stated on the packaging or bottle applies.

But! If you store and use oil perfumes correctly**, your favorite scent can last you for many more months!

We do not encourage you to use expired perfume, but we also do not encourage you to throw a bottle of your favorite perfume into the trash immediately the next day after the expiration date.

The shelf life of an oil perfume is the period during which the perfume, subject to established storage conditions and rules of use**, retains its aromatic properties.

It is also useful to know that there are so-called “Vintage perfumes”. Over time, their aroma changes, but for the better: it becomes a different shade, the play of notes changes. In such perfumes there are almost no light or citrus shades, while other, heavier, basic, oriental or spicy shades are fully revealed.

You should know that an oil perfume that has been printed and used at least once has a shorter shelf life than one whose packaging has not been damaged. Self-respecting companies indicate the storage requirements for opened perfume on the box or label. Look on the packaging or bottle of your oil perfume for an image of a cylindrical, squat cream jar with an open lid; a number is printed on the jar.

This number means how long it is recommended to use your perfume (and any product on the packaging of which this jar with a number is depicted) after breaking the packaging and/or first use. In this case, the jar has the designation “12M” - this means that after breaking the packaging and/or first use, the product can be stored for no more than 12 months.

Important! If oil perfumes do not have an expiration date indicated, then you can understand that they have become unsuitable for use by three main signs:

1. A precipitate has appeared and/or the solution has become noticeably cloudy.

2. An unpleasant and/or pungent odor has appeared.

3. Color has changed.

Stay with us and we will tell you many more interesting things from the world of perfumery!

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* Requirement according to the “List of goods that, after expiration of the expiration date, are considered unsuitable for their intended use” developed in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 5 of the Law of the Russian Federation “On the Protection of Consumer Rights” and approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of June 16, 1997 N 720.

** For information on how to store and use oil perfumes correctly, read our blog article “How to store and use oil perfumes.”