Is Rubbing Wrists Together Really Damaging to Perfume Molecules? You may have been cautioned not to vigorously rub the areas where you’ve applied perfume, with the belief that it could disrupt the perfume’s molecular structure. This notion is considered one of the misconceptions surrounding perfumes.
Vigorously Rubbing Can Disrupt Perfume Ingredients
The act of rubbing wrists together is simply a basic physical movement and does not damage the perfume’s molecular-level fragrance components. The persistence of this misconception is likely due to the noticeable impact of intense rubbing, which can indeed have some influence on the perfume.
Intense rubbing raises the temperature of the skin on the wrists, causing the fragrance of the perfume to evaporate more quickly. This accelerated evaporation of top, middle, and base notes can result in a somewhat chaotic scent. However, this does not imply damage to the molecular structure of the perfume.
The Presence of Alcohol Smell in Perfume Indicates It’s Fake
In reality, the majority of perfumes have an alcohol content of over 75%. The variation in the prominence of the alcohol smell is due to differences in the fragrance crafting processes among various brands.
What should you do if you encounter a perfume with a strong alcohol smell while testing? The best approach is not to immediately lean in for a sniff. Instead, spray it on a testing strip and wait for the alcohol to evaporate before smelling it. Similarly, if a perfume has a pronounced alcohol smell when initially sprayed, you can do the same – spray it a bit earlier, wait for the alcohol scent to dissipate, and then head out.
Perfume Expires and Spoils
When we talk about expiration, it refers to the indicated period on the packaging and not the perfume itself. If stored properly, a bottle of perfume can last for many years without spoiling. Many perfume enthusiasts even collect vintage fragrances, referring to discontinued perfumes from the early production days of a brand. Properly preserved, these vintage scents maintain their original aroma over decades.
But if you store perfume in a place with ample sunlight, it will quickly undergo changes due to exposure to sunlight. In such an environment, perfume is prone to spoilage.
