How to Wear
How to store fine fragrance so it lasts decades
September 2026 · Join CT Journal
Light, heat, humidity and the fridge myth — the four rules that protect a €400 flacon’s life.
The enemy is light
Ultraviolet light is the fastest way to age a fragrance. Keep bottles in their boxes, in a cabinet or drawer — not on a sunlit shelf. A collection displayed in a dark cabinet loses nothing and gains a museum.
Heat and humidity
Bathrooms are the worst room in the house: heat spikes and humidity degrade top notes first. A cool, stable bedroom cupboard outperforms any bathroom shelf by years.
The fridge myth
Refrigeration is unnecessary and introduces condensation risk every time the bottle warms. Stability matters more than cold — a constant 18–20°C is ideal.
Handling
Keep the cap on, avoid decanting into cheap plastics, and never store atomisers loose in a handbag where they leak and oxidise. A cared-for parfum can outlive its owner.
