The Great British Summertime decided to rear its head in September and now is the time that your beloved fragrances may be exposed to the heat. Whether this is from natural sunlight on holidays abroad or artificial sources of heat within the home. The quality of your beloved fragrance (singular) or fragrance (collection) can and will be affected when exposed to particular levels of heat and humidity.

Exposure to direct sunlight

One of the first things to consider when caring for a fragrance you love is where to store it. When keeping your fragrances at home, most likely in a bedroom or a dressing room, it is important to remember not to leave the bottle in line of direct sunlight. Exposure to direct sunlight overtime, even in winter months, can have a direct impact on the quality of your fragrance. The more frequently a perfume bottle is hit by the light and heat of the sun, the faster the chemical bonds will break down, leaving the scent of your perfume altered or less powerful.

Bearing this in mind, it is generally best practice to store your perfume bottles away from windows. And, if you can, keep them in their original boxes for extra protection.

Humidity and bathroom storage

Another factor that can affect the quality of your fragrance is humidity. High humidity can cause the perfume to evaporate more quickly, which will make it less potent and last for a shorter period of time. This is why it is not a good idea to store your perfumes in the bathroom, as the steam from showers and baths can increase the humidity.

If you do need to store your perfumes in the bathroom, it is best to keep them in a cool, dry place, such as a cabinet or drawer. You can also try using a desiccant pack to help absorb moisture.

Wearing perfume in the heat

When it comes to the impact the heat can have on your perfume after you have spritzed yourself, most experts suggest that the molecules of the fragrance are much more likely to evaporate faster from your skin when in hot climates. You may notice this when abroad or spending time in the sun. Therefore, if you want to make your perfume last longer in the sun, it is recommended to wear an eau de parfum or a higher concentration of fragrance. In hotter climates some people switch to wearing perfume oils or body oils to ensure their favourite scent lasts on the skin.

Another good way to make the scent last longer is to combine this with the matching body lotion or body wash. Many of the perfume gift sets we sell are available with matching body care products, such as lotions.

It’s important to remember that heat can have an impact on fragrances not only in summer but throughout the entire year. Taking note of this particularly when travelling to hot and humid climates and when storing your perfume will help you preserve the quality of your favourite perfume or aftershave.

Take a look at our hottest fragrances as September promises to be our most glorious month yet, weather-wise!