With temperatures soaring to 30°C across parts of the UK and record-breaking May heat being reported, fragrance experts are warning that millions of pounds worth of perfume could be quietly deteriorating in homes across the country.
While many people take steps to protect food, wine and even skincare products during periods of unusually hot weather, perfume is often overlooked despite being highly sensitive to heat, light and temperature fluctuations.
According to research by Manchester-based Perfume Direct, 78 per cent of people don’t realise that perfume has an expiry date, while 87 per cent are still using fragrances they believe were purchased before 2020.
Combined with the UK’s current heatwave, experts say many fragrance collections could now be at risk of degrading far sooner than expected.
Jonny Webber, fragrance expert at Perfume Direct, explains:
“People assume perfume lasts forever, but it doesn’t. Fragrance is made up of volatile aromatic compounds that are extremely sensitive to heat, light and oxygen.
“When temperatures climb towards 30°C and beyond, those compounds begin to break down more quickly. The fragrance might not suddenly smell bad overnight, but over time it can lose its freshness, complexity and longevity. In some cases, the scent can start smelling noticeably different from the fragrance you originally bought.
“If you’ve spent £80, £100 or even £200 on a premium perfume, leaving it on a sunny dressing table during a heatwave is a bit like leaving an expensive bottle of wine in a hot conservatory. You’re accelerating its decline.”
The warning comes as many homes across Britain are likely to experience indoor temperatures significantly higher than those recommended for fragrance storage (15 – 20°C).
The three places your perfume is most at risk during a heatwave
On a dressing table or windowsill
Many perfume collections are displayed proudly on bedroom furniture, but this could be one of the worst places to keep them during hot weather.
“Direct sunlight is the obvious problem, but even bright indirect light combined with rising room temperatures can gradually alter a fragrance’s chemical composition,” says Jonny. “The bottle may look beautiful on display, but UV exposure and heat are a damaging combination.”
In the bathroom
Bathrooms remain one of the most common places people store perfume, despite experts consistently advising against it.
“Bathrooms create constant fluctuations in temperature and humidity,” Jonny explains. “A hot shower followed by a cooler room repeatedly stresses the fragrance. Over time, those fluctuations can shorten its lifespan.”
In a car or handbag
Many people carry perfume for top-ups throughout the day, but leaving fragrance in a parked car during warm weather can be particularly damaging.
“Cars can become significantly hotter than the outside temperature, especially in direct sunlight,” says Jonny. “A bottle left in a glovebox or handbag inside a vehicle for several hours can be exposed to conditions far beyond what it was designed to withstand.”
Four signs your perfume may already have been affected by the heat
According to Jonny, there are several warning signs to look out for:
The scent smells sharper, sourer, metallic or more alcoholic than before
The fragrance doesn’t last as long on the skin
The liquid has noticeably darkened in colour
The scent feels flatter, with less depth and complexity
“Most people assume they’ve simply gone off a fragrance,” he says. “In reality, the perfume itself may have changed. Heat doesn’t necessarily destroy a fragrance immediately. What it does is speed up the oxidation process, gradually breaking down the ingredients that give the scent its character.”
How to protect your fragrance collection
The best place to store perfume is somewhere cool, dark and away from temperature fluctuations.
A wardrobe, drawer or cupboard in a consistently cool room is ideal. Keeping fragrances in their original boxes can also provide additional protection from light exposure.
Jonny adds:
“The current heatwave is a good reminder that perfume is an investment. Many people now own fragrance wardrobes worth hundreds of pounds, if not more.
“People are remembering to water their gardens, protect their pets and keep sunscreen topped up, but few think about what the heat is doing to the fragrances sitting on their dressing table.
“If you want your perfume to smell exactly as the perfumer intended, where you store it matters just as much as which fragrance you buy.”