I’m trying to better understand storage and shelf life for perfumery materials, and I’m a little confused.
I know a lot of people store certain materials in the fridge because some naturals and aroma chemicals can degrade over time. But when I read about shelf life, I often see 2–3 years mentioned as typical for many materials. If that’s true, does that timeline still apply even when materials are stored properly in amber bottles with polycone caps, away from heat/light?
I also wondered if dilutions in perfumer’s alcohol tend to last longer than neat/raw materials, since alcohol may help stabilize them.
What confuses me most is that finished perfumes can sometimes smell great for many years, yet some raw materials are said to have shorter shelf lives.
Right now I’m keeping notes on each material: name, purchase date, color, and smell, so I can compare changes over time.
How do more experienced perfumers approach shelf life? Do you go by published estimates, storage conditions, smell/color changes, or something else?