Time to Chill Your Fragrances?

Time to chill your fragrances?

If you want to make your fragrances last longer, take a page from the fine wine industry and store them in a cool, dark place. Eau de parfums, like vintage wines, can last months longer if they are kept in very cool temperatures away from direct sunlight.

“Heat and sunlight are the enemies of fragrance,” says Master Perfumer Olivier Cresp. The talented artist’s work is so legendary in the world of perfumery that in 2012 France presented him with “Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres“ in recognition for his significant contribution to the enrichment of the French culture inheritance. He’s created award-winning scents for Dior, Nina Ricci, Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace among others. And he’s known for his sophisticated approach to perfume creation – his scents all have an elegance to them.

“To prolong your scent’s lifespan, keep it cool.”

So when it comes to caring for and prolonging your beloved fragrances, Cresp is the ideal expert. He says keeping your perfumes cool is the best way make them last. The heat and humidity in a bathroom can cause the citrus top notes to turn sharp or sour. Swings in temperature can also alter the scent’s composition so you want to keep a constant, regular temperature around 5 to 8 degrees Celsius. Many large fragrance manufacturers will store their scent prototypes in large industrial-style fridges. This keeps the temperature cool and steady. And as an added bonus, it keeps the fragrance away from direct sunlight.

It makes sense to keep your scents cool. Think of the raw materials and ingredients in a fragrance. Yes, there is alcohol, but you’ll find floral botanicals, rose oils, citrus accords, vanilla, tonka bean and caramel. Without preservatives, these materials would eventually turn bad – just like with food. Keeping these ingredients very cool and in the dark prolongs their lifespan.

“Invest in a small fragrance refrigerator.”

There is a trend in skincare to store moisturizers, serums and creams in small beverage fridges (designed for beer and wine bottles). Again, the theory is that keeping these products cool will make them last longer and keep them fresher. You might want to invest in a second one for your scents. As an added bonus, spritzing a perfume out of the fridge on a hot summer day feels refreshing on the skin.

Investing in a good quality fragrance today can be expensive. So you want to make sure you enjoy every single drop in the flacon. Storing your fragrance in the fridge can help to extend its lifespan.

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