Does perfume go bad after you've had it for awhile?

Baloo55th

Shouldn't go bad, as most perfumes are fairly high in alcohol content. And alcohol is used as a preservative. (Seems to be working on me so far...) So long as the bottle is kept closed, so that the alcohol and the fragrance are sealed in, a perfume should last for quite a long time. On the other hand, if it's a bottle of Chanel No 5 you bought for £1.50 on a market stall, then anything could happen. You probably wouldn't want to know what went into it.... I found a sample of Aramis cologne the other day - must be at least 20 years old. Still smelled the same. Feb 21 06, 5:55 AM

disney310

I've had perfumes for years and to me, yes, they do start to smell old after a while. Feb 21 06, 6:23 AM

Brinjal

In my experience it does go off after awhile once it has been opened. It tends to last longer if you keep the bottle in the box and it isnt exposed to sunlight. Feb 21 06, 9:07 AM

woodardr

Since perfumes really work due to containing highly volatile organic molecules, I'd imagine no matter how well you seal them up, they will eventually either decompose or make it through whatever seals you have on them. There aren't a lot of each molecule in there, so a small change would have a reasonable effect on the smell, especially to highly sensitive people (There's quite a range of sensitivity to smells amongst humans). Feb 21 06, 10:21 AM

gonehorsey101

Perfumes that we have used on occassion tends to go bad, or atleast if the alchole content is high then well that is even worse at times. That's just my experience Feb 21 06, 10:48 AM

God'sbuddy7

I read somewhere that if you wear an old perfume for sentimental reasons (first prom, date, etc.) that it isn't quite healthy for you. But you can't trust everything you read. Feb 21 06, 6:06 PM

xfacilitatorx

It is my experience that a perfume, cologne, Eau De Toilette, left unused, away from UV radiation and extreme temps. will not change in its chemical structure nor its aroma. On the other hand......Any fragrance that has been exposed to moderate quantities of air (oxygen), sunlight (UV), or personal oils and skin cells (the sloshing on of fragrances that are not vaporized) or exterem temps, will definately "sour" or weaken over time. Feb 21 06, 9:23 PM

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