In the hottest months, any perfume or eau de cologne should be kept away from sunlight and any source of heat: “even more so if it has been used before, because, by increasing the air chamber in the container, the processes natural deterioration accelerates, ”says Raquel Sanz, Correo technical director of Iap Pharma .
The alterations that aromatic products can undergo in summer “are many and very varied”. Of the set of chemical reactions that can occur, the most problematic would be oxidation . The consequences are “a variability in the color of the perfume, which tends to intensify, and changes in the odor.” However, the texture “does not usually undergo changes” due to high temperatures.
During the oxidation process, the aroma of the product “may be correct until the moment that the reactions have been so many that it can finally emit a musty or stale smell”. To exemplify it, Sanz equates the aroma of a poorly preserved perfume to that of “wines when they vinegar “.
Natural ingredients
Formulations based on natural ingredients should be preserved in the same way, although, “by carrying a greater number of components during distillation, the possible oxidation reactions are greater,” he points out.
Perfume quality
The durability of the aroma is determined by the design and concentration, that is, “by a good distribution of the raw materials within the olfactory pyramid that forms the perfume and by the concentration of the components in the final formula,” explains the expert. .
The most summery aromas are associated with freshness and transparency, which is why “citrus, wild and not very intense warm undertones are the most common”. The use of these essences for the summer season “is probably due to their relationship between quality, price and durability.” But knowing the characteristics of the most suitable perfume for these months “is not possible, since quality and personal tastes go together”, reflects Sanz.
According to the expert, the olfactory and gustatory systems are chemical-sensory senses, since both convert chemical signals into perception and, consequently, each user experiences different sensations. “Generally, we associate the highest quality notes with the ones we like and last us the longest,” he says.
On the other hand, alcohol is the main ingredient intended to provide the sensation of freshness . “This is produced because alcohol is very volatile and evaporates quickly in the air,” explains Susana Andújar March, director of R&D at Betrés On , a Spanish perfume and setting brand.
The question that arises is: can colonies cause skin damage in the hottest months? The truth is that the increase in temperatures causes the dilation of the pores and a stimulation in the production of sebum, so “it is more exposed to the environment and to the cosmetics that are applied to it.” This fact favors the appearance of allergies to some of the components, but, in order to cause it, “a minimum amount of the flavoring substance must penetrate the skin and bind to one of its proteins”, which would affect the immune system and end causing dermatitis, among other disorders.
To prevent this situation, applying perfume to clothing “would be the most advisable, especially for those skin that are more reactive, thin or in special circumstances, such as childhood or the elderly,” says Andújar.
Under normal circumstances “any cosmetic intended to perfume us is appropriate.” However, if the skins have undergone changes, they will be more vulnerable and preventive measures should be taken . Thus, those who have suffered excessive exposure to the sun, irritations, itching, special medical treatments, etc., “should avoid direct application or use cologne with less alcohol content and, consequently, fewer essences.”
For the most sensitive (and non-allergic) skin , Andújar recommends that, before purchasing a new perfume, a small sample be applied to the forearm for a few days. “If no reaction occurs, it could be selected for use.”
