Freezing Fragrances: A Brilliant Idea or Total Myth? Here’s What 2 Perfume Experts Said

Don’t you just hate it when your favourite fragrance loses its scent trail too soon? The idea of freezing fragrances to extend their longevity has gained some popularity, but is it a smart move or just a misguided hack?

We consulted two experts to unravel the truth behind this chilling trend.

Meet Our Experts:

• Johanna Monange, Founder and CEO of Maison 21G
• Dan Terry Jacobson, Founder and Creative Director of Oo La Lab

The Concept of Freezing Fragrances

A trend has been going viral, claiming that freezing fragrances can significantly extend their longevity.

@tifes_hub

I know the first thing you’re worried about is; won’t it break?😅 No need to worry—perfume bottles typically won’t break in the fridge. Here’s why: ◽️Alcohol and Oil Stability: Both alcohol and oils, the main components of perfumes, don’t expand when cooled. Alcohol in perfumes, typically ethanol, has a very low freezing point, so it won’t freeze in a standard refrigerator. This prevents the expansion and contraction that could damage the bottle. Storing your perfume in the fridge might seem like an odd idea, but there are several benefits to doing so: ◽️ Extended Shelf Life: Heat and sunlight can cause perfumes to break down faster. Storing them in a cool, dark place like a fridge helps preserve the fragrance for longer. ◽️ Maintains Freshness: Perfumes contain volatile compounds that can evaporate over time, especially when exposed to heat and light. Refrigeration slows down this process, keeping your perfume smelling fresh and vibrant. ◽️Soothing Effect: Applying cool perfume can have a refreshing and calming effect on the skin, especially on hot days. ◽️Preservation of Scent Integrity: Heat and light can alter the fragrance’s composition, so refrigeration can help maintain its original scent. ◽️Stability: Keeps volatile components stable, ensuring the fragrance remains consistent. It is important to remember that extreme temperatures and wide temperature fluctuations can also have a negative effect on the fragrance. Avoid storing it in the freezer for too long! Storing it in the family refrigerator, where frequent openings can cause big temperature fluctuations, is also not ideal so it’s best to store perfumes in a more stable environment within the fridge. In Conclusion: Storing perfumes in the fridge can be a great way to extend their life and maintain their freshness. Just follow these guidelines to ensure your fragrances stay in top condition: Store in a Cool, Dark Place: Whether in the fridge or another cool spot, avoid heat and light. Seal Properly: Keep perfume bottles tightly sealed to prevent moisture and condensation. Did you know about refrigerating perfumes before? Have you tried it? If not, will you be giving it a try? Let me know in the comments!😍🥳

♬ original sound – Seventhu

Freezing fragrances is based on the notion that lower temperatures can slow down the chemical reactions responsible for a perfume’s degradation. This concept suggests that by freezing fragrances, you might preserve their quality and extend their lifespan.

How true could this be? Let’s hear what the experts have to say about this!

Can Freezing Fragrances Really Make It Last Longer?

@goparks

Hopping ln the freezing fragrances trend #cologne #fragrance #colognetok #fyp

♬ Solo (Sped Up + Instrumental) – dopuu

With the continuous search for ways to extend the life of our favourite fragrances, it’s common to jump on the bandwagon and trust blindly in new trends. One such trend making waves is the idea of freezing perfumes to preserve their potency. But is there any truth to this chilling method?

“Freezing fragrances to enhance their longevity is an intriguing idea, but it’s not widely supported by scientific evidence. The longevity of a fragrance primarily depends on the quality of the ingredients and how it is stored. Freezing might slow down the degradation of some compounds, but it can also cause other issues,” Dan Terry shared.

Monange, on the other hand, shared that “freezing fragrances is not a common practice in perfumery except during the manufacturing process. In our factory, we freeze the perfume solution before bottling it for about three hours. This step forces the wax and natural solid molecules present in the composition to solidify, allowing us to filter them out.

However, even in our production unit, we never freeze the perfume solution for more than three hours and below -30 degrees. Achieving such low temperatures is challenging since alcohol at 80 degrees (like in perfume) only freezes above -30 degrees.

While lower temperatures can slow down the degradation of certain compounds, extreme cold can also cause structural changes to the fragrance composition, which might not be desirable. There are no benefits to freezing fragrances for longevity.”

She added, “Storing your perfume in a fridge or wine cellar is a good practice as it protects it from high temperatures, which are detrimental to citrus and floral notes. The fridge also shields the fragrance from UV rays, which can accelerate ageing.

However, this should only be done if you plan to store your perfume for a long period. A cabinet at room temperature is also ideal. Furthermore, you are advised to use your perfume within a year, making the freezing idea less practical.”

Will or Can a Perfume Freeze?

The question of whether perfume can freeze is intriguing, especially given its complex composition.

According to Jacobson, “Perfumes generally do not freeze at standard freezer temperatures because they contain a high concentration of alcohol, which has a very low freezing point. The water content in perfumes might freeze, but this can potentially disrupt the balance of the fragrance.”

Monange also shared Jacobson’s standpoint. However, she added a cautionary note: “If exposed to very low temperatures, some components might crystallise or separate, affecting the fragrance’s consistency.”

Does Freezing Fragrances Improve Its Quality and Longevity?

With the ongoing trend of freezing fragrances, many are curious if this practice actually makes their favourite scents last longer or smell better.

Jacobson acknowledged this by saying, “Freezing a fragrance does not necessarily improve its quality, longevity, or effectiveness. In fact, the process of freezing and thawing can sometimes cause separation of ingredients or alter the delicate balance of the fragrance, which could affect its intended scent profile.

Monange shared similar thoughts to Jacobson, but also added, “It might actually disrupt the balance of the ingredients, leading to a changed scent. The best way to keep your fragrance in top condition is to store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and temperature changes.”

So, while freezing might sound like a clever trick, it turns out that simply storing your perfume properly is the best way to keep it smelling great and lasting long.

Does Freezing Fragrances Change Its Scent Profile;What Happens to Top, Middle, and Base Notes?

Freezing can have a significant impact on the overall composition and balance of a fragrance, especially on the top notes.

Both Jacobson and Monange shared similar thoughts on this issue. They explained that “freezing can cause certain volatile compounds, especially those in the top notes, to behave unpredictably. Top notes, which are often more volatile, might be impacted more than the middle and base notes.”

Jacobson elaborated, “The freezing and subsequent thawing could potentially alter how these notes are perceived when the fragrance is applied, disrupting the intended experience.”

Monange added, “This can lead to a loss of freshness and imbalance between the top, middle, and base notes. The delicate interplay of these notes is essential for the fragrance’s intended scent, and freezing may compromise this balance.”

How Does Temperature Affect the Lifespan and Stability of Your Fragrance?

Both experts highlight the importance of storing fragrances at consistently cool, stable temperatures to preserve their quality and longevity.

Jacobson explained, “High temperatures can accelerate the breakdown of volatile compounds, leading to a shorter lifespan and altered scent. Cold temperatures can slow down these processes but might also cause crystallisation or separation of ingredients if too extreme.”

Monange also states, ” High temperatures can also accelerate the formation of the famous Schiff base, where methyl anthranilate reacts with aldehyde, causing a red colouration that could be quite awkward and potentially stain your clothing when [worn] on a white shirt.”

Are There Any Risks or Drawbacks When Freezing Fragrances?

Both agreed that there are potential risks associated with freezing fragrances. Freezing can cause the water and alcohol components to separate, which might alter the fragrance’s balance and lead to the crystallisation of some ingredients, making the fragrance less uniform.

Jacobson highlighted that “the repeated cycle of freezing and thawing can degrade the quality over time.”

Monange added, “There is also a risk of the glass bottles cracking due to the expansion of liquids at low temperatures. These changes can negatively impact the fragrance’s overall quality and effectiveness.”

What Are the Best Alternatives to Freezing for Prolonging Fragrance Longevity?

Jacobson outlined the following best practices:

• Store fragrances in a cool, dark place.
• Use the original packaging to protect from light.
• Keep the bottles tightly sealed to prevent air exposure.
• Avoid storing fragrances in the bathroom, where temperature and humidity fluctuate significantly.

“The [fewer] chemicals you use on your skin, the better. We believe in letting nature evolve naturally in your bottle of perfume, much like a bottle of wine. The more you keep your perfume, the more it macerates, rounds up, and intensifies. Hence why at Maison 21G, we’re against the addition of preservatives as they are chemicals.” Monange shared.

She added, “Why stop such a beautiful evolution of nature and control everything with the addition of unnecessary chemicals?”

What Advice Would You Give to Those Who Are Considering Freezing Their Fragrances To Extend Their Shelf Life?

Jacobson emphasised, “Rather than resorting to freezing, store them in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. Ensure the bottles are tightly sealed to prevent oxidation and evaporation. Proper storage is key to significantly extending the life of your fragrance.”