Fragrance expert Jonny Webber shares the simple storage habits that could help your favourite scent last for year.
Whether you’ve invested in a signature luxury fragrance or have a growing collection of everyday favourites, chances are you’ve never given much thought to where you store them.
But with summer temperatures rising, the way you care for your perfume can have a surprising impact on how long it lasts and even how it smells.
Many of us proudly display our favourite bottles on dressing tables, bathroom shelves or sunny windowsills without realising that heat, light and even oxygen can slowly change the fragrance over time.
To separate fact from fiction, Darling spoke with Jonny Webber, Fragrance Expert at PerfumeDirect.com, who shares his expert advice on protecting your fragrance collection, the biggest mistakes people make during warmer months and whether keeping perfume in the fridge is really a good idea.
What is the biggest mistake people make when storing perfume during hot weather?
Perfume is highly sensitive to heat, light and oxygen. The aromatic compounds that create a fragrance are delicate, and once a bottle has been opened, they gradually begin to oxidise. Exposure to heat, UV rays and humidity can all speed up that process and shorten a fragrances life span. So, the biggest mistake you can make is leaving your perfume out on display.
A lot of us like having bottles on a dressing table or windowsill because they look great, but during hot weather that’s probably the worst place for them. One warm afternoon isn’t going to ruin your favourite perfume, but weeks or months of constant exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight can change how it smells. Fragrances can lose their freshness and complexity, become less long-lasting, and even start to smell noticeably different from when you first bought them. It’s a bit like leaving an expensive bottle of wine in a hot conservatory. You’re simply accelerating its decline.
Is there a particular type of fragrance that is more vulnerable to heat damage than others?
Lighter fragrances are generally more vulnerable to heat damage. Citrus-forward, green and aquatic scents have very fresh, bright top notes, and these are usually the first ingredients to fade when a perfume is exposed to heat. A fragrance that once smelled really crisp might suddenly seem a bit flat or even sour. Richer fragrances with Heavier perfumes with notes of woods, amber or vanilla can hide the changes for longer, but they’re not immune either. Prolonged or repeated exposure to heat will affect all perfumes eventually.
What’s the most surprising thing people don’t know about perfume storage?
I think it’s probably that perfume doesn’t last indefinitely. Lots of people view it similarly to jewellery – buy it once and wear it forever. But, in reality, it’s a blend of natural and synthetic ingredients that changes over time, especially once you’ve opened the bottle. If you look after it properly, it’ll stay beautiful for years. But where you store it really does make a difference.
Have you ever seen a fragrance become completely unusable because it was stored incorrectly?
I have – and it’s usually been kept on a sunny windowsill or in a very warm room. The colour darkens, the fresh notes disappear and what’s left smells quite harsh and overly alcoholic. Most people assume they’ve simply gone off a particular fragrance, but it’s actually the perfume itself that’s changed.
What are the biggest warning signs that a perfume has been affected by heat?
The scent fades much more quickly on the skin. The liquid noticeably darkens in colour. The fragrance smells sharp, sour or more alcoholic than before. And it has much less depth and fewer of its original notes coming through.
Is there a difference in how luxury fragrances and more affordable fragrances react to high temperatures?
Expensive perfumes aren’t automatically protected from heat damage just because they cost more. Luxury scents often contain more delicate natural ingredients and more complex, unique compositions, so any changes can seem even more pronounced. Whether your favourite fragrance costs £30 or £300, my advice is exactly the same – keep it cool, dry and away from direct sunlight.
If someone owns a large fragrance collection, what is the best way to store it during summer?
Ideally, fragrances should be stored at around 15-20°C. A wardrobe, drawer or cupboard in one of the cooler parts of your home is usually the best place. Keeping fragrances in their original boxes also helps protect them from light, another factor that slowly degrades the scent.
If you like taking your perfume out with you for top-up spritzes throughout the day, decant some into a travel atomiser rather than taking the full bottle. And the same goes for holidays. That way you’re not exposing your whole collection to unnecessary heat every time you leave the house.
I’ve heard advice that says you should keep your perfume in the fridge when it’s hot, but it’s really not necessary. In fact, regularly moving perfume between cold and warm environments can create condensation and unnecessary temperature changes, so I’d actually advise against it.
What is your personal favourite fragrance-care tip that most people overlook?
It’s such a simple thing… always put the cap back on properly after you’ve used it. Every time the bottle is left open, oxygen starts interacting with the fragrance and that’s part of what slowly causes the scent to change over time. People tend to focus on heat and sunlight, but limiting exposure to air is just as important. It takes just two seconds, but it can really help make a perfume last longer.
The Darling Take
Fragrance is often one of the most personal parts of our beauty routine, yet it’s also one of the most overlooked when it comes to proper care.
Jonny’s advice is a timely reminder that a few simple habits, such as storing bottles away from direct sunlight, keeping the cap securely fastened and avoiding unnecessary temperature changes, can make a real difference to preserving both the quality and longevity of your favourite scent.
As temperatures continue to climb throughout the summer, now might be the perfect time to rethink where your perfume collection lives.
⭐️ Top 5 Takeaways
- Store perfume in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Keep bottles in their original boxes where possible.
- Always replace the cap after use.
- Avoid storing perfume on windowsills or in hot bathrooms.
- Use a travel atomiser instead of carrying full-size bottles in warm weather.
Read our latest fragrance coverage here.
