How Long Does an Opened Perfume Last?

Most opened perfumes stay in good condition for three to five years if stored properly, though this varies by concentration and ingredients. Heavier, resin and amber-based scents often last longer than light citrus or aquatic fragrances, which fade faster once opened.

What Shortens the Lifespan

Every time a bottle is opened, a small amount of air gets in, and repeated exposure to oxygen over years gradually oxidises the fragrance oils. Storing a bottle somewhere warm, bright or humid speeds this process up considerably, which is why the same perfume can last very different lengths of time depending purely on where it lives in your home.

How to Judge If Yours Has Turned

Trust your nose over the calendar. If a familiar perfume suddenly smells flatter, sourer or just wrong compared to how you remember it, that is a more reliable signal than counting years since purchase. Bottles with a spray pump also tend to fare slightly better than those with an open stopper, since less air makes contact with the liquid each time you use it. Our guide to storing perfume covers this properly, alongside our complete guide to perfume.