Perfumes can come in a rainbow of colors as varied as their scents. Fragrance houses love using clear glass bottles to show off these glistening liquids, largely for the aesthetic. Some enjoy the minimalism of the clear liquid in a glass bottle, while other time the glass bottle allows the perfumer to add unique colors to their fragrances as the color can help one connect certain feelings and nuances to the perfume’s scent. For example, a light green perfume may suggest a fresh, light smell that uplifts your mood, while a pink fragrance may suggest a romantic, girly floral.
However, owners of these clear glass bottles are sometimes in for a nasty shock. Overtime, the crystal clear or lightly yellow liquid may gradually begin to change color over time, till it no longer looks like the same perfume it was before. One of the most intriguing and sometimes puzzling phenomena, if you've ever wondered why your favorite fragrance has altered its hue, you're not alone. These occurrences have sparked concern and confusion about the quality of perfumes and whether these perfumes are still safe to use post-color change. Well, don’t start throwing out those hundreds of dollars of perfumes just yet! The good news is that this is a very normal and natural experience which most importantly, does not mean your perfume is spoilt.
So what causes this strange discoloration and can we do anything to prevent it? Let’s dive into the science behind perfumes and what factors go into this mysterious phenomena!
Perfume Chemistry
Perfumes are complex mixtures of various aromatic compounds, solvents (usually ethanol), and stabilizers. These components interact with each other and with external factors in ways that could lead to changes in their physical appearance, including color.
Oxidation
One of the primary suspects for perfume’s color changing act, compounds susceptible to oxidation will react when exposed to oxygen in air, thus resulting in the compounds undergoing a chemical reaction that results in a change in the chemical structure of the compound. While in most cases this does not alter the scent, it can result in a change in color. Oxidation rates increase with time and the more you use a perfume as this introduces more air aka headspace into the perfume bottle which allows for oxidation even if your bottle is well sealed. Common aromatic compounds used in perfumes such as vanillin and citrus oils are prone to oxidiation when exposed to air, thus you might see the perfume getting darker or even lighter the more you use your perfume.
Light Exposure
A downside to those minimalistic clear bottles, perfumes are sensitive to light, particularly Ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light can break down the chemical bonds in the aromatic compound, resulting in degradation and color change. Prolonged light exposure can also result in accelerated oxidation and other chemical reactions that could alter the perfume’s color. This is the reason why many perfume brands are turning to dark or opaque bottles and or recommend storing perfume in a dark space when not in use to minimise prolonged exposure to light.
Heat Exposure and Humidity
While not as big of a factor as light exposure and oxidation, exposure to heat can accelerate the aforementioned chemical reactions caused by light and oxidation. Exposure to heat can also result in the scent of your perfume changing which is much more undesirable than just a simple color change.
Perfume Ingredients
As mentioned earlier, certain ingredients like vanillin and citrus oils may have a higher propensity to oxidise and change colors over time. While this does not mean that perfumes without these ingredients wont oxidise but it might be less likely to oxidise if stored correctly. Moreover, perfume ingredients are naturally volatile in order for them to evaporate and produce the scent trail we enjoy, thus such color changes is a normal and unavoidable consequence of working with these compounds
It might also be a red flag if your perfume does not change color over time as this may suggest an overdose of strong preservatives and other chemical stabilizers to keep the perfume’s composition intact. Some stabilizers that could be used for fragrances such as phthalates are endocrine disruptors, affecting user’s hormones and overall health.
Preservation and Storage Tips for Your Perfume
Let's get into the best ways to make sure you get the most out of your perfume, whether it be to slow down its oxidation and color change or to prevent it from going bad all together.
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Dark and Cool is Best!
As gorgeous as your perfume bottles may be, they simply arent made to be vanity decor especially those beautiful transparent bottles. It is best to store your perfume in a dark and cool space away from direct light sources and heat such a cupboard or drawer to presume its longevity.
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Keep the bottle cap on and tightly closed
By ensuring your perfume bottle is well sealed, you can prevent further exposure to air which would cause it to oxidise faster. For this reason, we do not suggest decanting your perfumes as this would cause the original bottle sealing to be less airtight or decanting them into cheap plastic containers which may not be airtight. Plastic is also not completely inert and is more permeable to air, speeding up oxidation and reactions within the perfume. If you’re interested to learn more about perfume packaging, you can read our article here! -
Dont keep your perfumes for too long
While perfumes do not have a strict expiration date, perfumes are best used within a few years of purchase (we recommend two years after opening). One opened and used, the amount of headspace in the bottle increases and increases the rate of oxidation. As a result even with the best storage practices, perfumes can degrade and change color over time. -
Avoid contamination
Contaminants may result in reactions with the compounds in perfumes or simply dirty the liquids, resulting in a unappealing color change or a murky look to perfumes. To prevent this, it is best to avoid roll-on perfumes and avoid touching the perfume nozzle to reduce introduction of contaminants such as dust into the perfume.
Conclusion
The color change in perfumes is a normal and natural phenomenon influenced by various factors including oxidation, light exposure, temperature fluctuations, and the types of ingredients used. Through understanding these elements and proper storage practices, you can minimize these changes and ensure your perfume remains as close to its original form as possible allowing you to enjoy their aromatic and visual beauty for longer. So don’t panic when your perfume starts looking a little different. Just give it a little spritz and sniff, and if it smells alright, its good to go for a while longer!
