raccoon
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Tue Feb-06-07 10:13 AM
Original message |
When a perfume/cologne goes rancid, is it very obvious? |
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And about how long do they usually last before that happens?
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azmouse
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Tue Feb-06-07 10:14 AM
Response to Original message |
1. I have perfumes that are at least 6 yrs old |
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and they are still fine. The scent doesn't seem to last as long as it used to but it still smells good.
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Karenca
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Tue Feb-06-07 11:03 AM
Response to Original message |
2. it is obvious. You'll know. |
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But they can last many, many years if you keep them out of direct light and in a cool place.
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NewWaveChick1981
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Tue Feb-06-07 11:06 AM
Response to Original message |
3. Yes. It's painfully obvious. |
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I've heard that most fragrances have a shelf life of about two years, but I think that's industry propaganda that keeps you buying more perfume. I've had bottles of perfume that have lasted six or seven years without turning. If you store them in a temperature-constant place, they're less likely to go bad.
If you notice a weird smell (kind of vinegar-y), it's bad. Also, if it doesn't smell like it once did, it's bad too.
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Karenca
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Tue Feb-06-07 11:12 AM
Response to Reply #3 |
4. Your right about industry propaganda--- |
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The perfume industry might soon start issuing expiration dates on the bottom of the bottles.
People will start throwing their fragrances away after 12 months -- and the manufacturers profits are going to soar.
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NewWaveChick1981
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Tue Feb-06-07 11:14 AM
Response to Reply #4 |
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:grr: That makes me so angry too... The same thing applies to skin care and makeup. I've had a jar of night cream for about two years past the supposed "expiration date", and it's just fine. I've had several lipsticks for eight or nine years, and they're in no danger of turning bad either.
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Karenca
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Tue Feb-06-07 11:23 AM
Response to Reply #6 |
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replace products faithfully when the date was expired.
The only items I do throw out after a short time is:
Mascara (I once got a TREMENDOUS infection) 3-6 months Sunscreen. (Very careful, 'cause I never used to wear it and I had skin cancer about 10 years ago). 1 year or 1 month past exp.
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NewWaveChick1981
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Tue Feb-06-07 12:09 PM
Response to Reply #8 |
13. I totally agree with you on that... |
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I always err on the side of caution with both mascara and sunscreen. :) However, stuff like powder blush and eye shadow can last me forever, so unless there's another reason to get rid of them, I don't. And I keep other things until they've turned.
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youthere
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Tue Feb-06-07 11:13 AM
Response to Original message |
5. Very obvious. Sometimes it will smell like BO. |
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Or vinegar. Or ammonia. You'll know.
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ghostsofgiants
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Tue Feb-06-07 11:16 AM
Response to Original message |
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It starts wearing studded leather jackets, bowler hats and singing like Joe Strummer if he had been fucked up on heroin all week.
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Patiod
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Tue Feb-06-07 11:36 AM
Response to Original message |
9. I've had bad luck with perfumes going bad quickly |
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I'm guessing that the bathroom is the wrong place to keep them.
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Karenca
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Tue Feb-06-07 11:58 AM
Response to Reply #9 |
11. The bathroom is the worst place to keep them. nt |
Little Wing
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Tue Feb-06-07 11:39 AM
Response to Original message |
10. I've had a bottle of Preffered Stock in my car all winter |
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I'll check it out during lunch, the bottle itself is from 1991, so we'll see how well it ages.
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Radio_Lady
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Tue Feb-06-07 12:02 PM
Response to Original message |
12. Different perfumes respond differently to aging. I have some Bill Blass |
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Edited on Tue Feb-06-07 12:03 PM by Radio_Lady
Men's cologne 100 Strength that is still delicious after thirty years. Bill Blass is gone, but his memory lasts forever. The company abandoned this product and Revlon (where it was made) will not divulge its formula. Too bad.. it was a great scent.
Most perfumes will look pretty much the same... but the smell may change or diminish. Trial and error are the keys.
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ProfessorGAC
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Tue Feb-06-07 12:15 PM
Response to Original message |
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Yes, you'll know. However, it's extremely rare. A few reasons.
Most of the natural oils in perfumes are very long chain aliphatic and highly substituted allyl aromatics. They are susceptible to decomposition through bacterial growth at a very low rate, unless in an actual treatment system, like when it goes down the drain.
Secondly, most of these oils are dissolved in other inert oils and alcohol. The alcohol is a complete biocide. No known bioform grows in alcohol.
Also, since the vast majority of these fragances have loads of saturated hydrocarbon chains, they are not terribly susceptible to oxidation, which is what causes rancidity in natural oils. And, the presence of the alcohol limits it too, since the alcohol will absorb some oxygen to become acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate. (Both are volatile organics that are very low toxicity and have a somewhat pleasant smell on their own.)
Lastly, they're in glass, and UV does not pass through glass very well, so the bond rearrangements that need to occur to cause rancidity by-products aren't very well catalyzed.
How's that? GAC
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raccoon
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Tue Feb-06-07 12:19 PM
Response to Reply #14 |
15. You're sure you're not the Gilligan's Island Professor? |
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You sure sound like him! :-)
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ProfessorGAC
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Tue Feb-06-07 12:23 PM
Response to Reply #15 |
17. When TBS Did That Remake. . . |
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Edited on Tue Feb-06-07 12:24 PM by ProfessorGAC
. . .boy i wanted that role. My bachelors and my first advanced degree are in chemistry. Yeah, i'm a geek. But, i do play guitar pretty well. So, i've somewhat de-geekified. GAC
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Karenca
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Tue Feb-06-07 12:26 PM
Response to Reply #14 |
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Edited on Tue Feb-06-07 12:27 PM by Karenca
Not really, J/K. ;)
That was great, Prof!
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raccoon
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Tue Feb-06-07 12:20 PM
Response to Original message |
16. Thanks to everyone for the info! nt |
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