Toiletries and travel-size cosmetics packed in a bag for travel

It’s not dangerous in terms of explosion risk under normal conditions, but it’s genuinely bad for the perfume itself, prolonged heat exposure will degrade the formula faster and can shorten how long the bottle stays good.

What actually happens to the perfume

A car left in direct sun, especially in warmer months, can reach temperatures well above what any perfume storage guidance recommends, and repeated exposure to that kind of heat accelerates oxidation and breaks down delicate top notes considerably faster than normal room-temperature storage. It’s the kind of thing that won’t ruin a bottle after one afternoon, but leaving perfume in a car regularly, or for extended periods during a hot spell, will noticeably shorten its life and can change how it smells.

A simple habit to avoid it

Bring perfume inside with you rather than leaving it in the car, the same way you would with anything else genuinely affected by heat. If you do need to travel with it, a bag rather than the glovebox or boot, especially in summer, keeps it out of the most extreme temperatures. Our guide to travelling with perfume and perfume storage guide cover this properly, alongside the complete guide to perfume.