Does Perfume Freeze? (5 Scenarios)

A defining part of the beauty industry, perfume can freeze at various temperatures ranging from -112°F to 28°F.

The freezing temperatures of a cologne depend on its alcohol content, as well as the water and fragrance oil concentrations.

Although you can freeze your favorite cologne, refrigerating it is a much better way of preserving its quality.

Firstly, though, let’s see how perfume freezes and its impact on the chemical formula.

Does Perfume Freeze?

Like most other liquid cosmetics, perfume can freeze too.

However, cologne freezing temperatures vary widely depending on the concentration of perfume oil, water, and alcohol mixed in its formula.

If you’re wondering at which temperatures can cologne freeze, here’s the freezing point for each perfume type:

• Pure Perfume: -90°F (-68°C) (high alcohol/low water concentration)
• Eau de Parfum (EDP): -90°F (-68°C) and below; 
• Eau de Toilette (EDT): – 90°F (-68°C) and below;
• Eau de Cologne (EDC): -112°F (-80°C) and below; 
• Eau Fraiche: 28°F (-2°C) and below (low alcohol/high water concentration)

Pure alcohol has a freezing point of -173°F.

EDP, or pure cologne, has the highest alcohol concentration (at 65% – 80%), so the cologne also has the lowest freezing point.

Water also plays a major role in the cologne freezing process: the more water in a perfume formula, the higher its freezing temperature becomes.

For example, eau fraiche contains up to 99% water and only 3% concentrated perfume oil. 

Therefore, the freezing point of this cologne is almost the same as water, at only 28°F.

Very few fragrances on the market belong to the pure cologne category.

In fact, most perfumes are colognes with relatively high water and perfume oil concentrations combined.

Should You Keep Perfume in the Fridge?

The way you store perfume makes a major difference in its scent quality.

According to cologne manufacturers, your fridge is a surprisingly good option, but why? 

Here are the main expert answers:

It’s a Cool Place

Whether freezing cold or boiling, extreme temperatures can drastically change your perfume scent.

High temperature, for instance, decreases the intensity as the top notes of your fragrance dissipates more rapidly.

Your fridge temperature provides just the colder environment needed for a perfect fragrance formula.

This ideal storage temperature is also steady; a key benefit, since extreme changes in heat can also affect the cologne.

Your freezer can also protect the alcohol content and smell of perfumes.

However, removing the bottle from the freezer can trigger a temperature shock. 

As it overcomes freezing points, the perfume formula is altered and the frozen glass bottle might even break.

As a conclusive answer, your fragrances will do just fine in the cooler environment of your refrigerator door, as they don’t need to freeze.

It’s (Almost Always) Dark

Whether or not it’s made of glass, exposing your fragrance bottle to direct sunlight and artificial light can speed up chemical degradation.

Meanwhile, your refrigerator keeps perfume in a dark place permanently (rather than just an hour or so), which helps to preserve its formula.

Unless your room temperature varies widely from day to night, you can also store your fragrance in a cupboard or wardrobe.

In this case, perfumers recommend keeping your bottle inside a dark-colored box. 

Not only does it limit sunlight exposure, but the box also protects sensitive glass bottles.

It Has Low Humidity

While in the fridge, your perfumes benefit from low humidity while lacking heat exposure.

Its cold temperatures create a dry environment that protects perfumes from oxidation, maintaining a fresh scent.

Meanwhile, bathrooms are the worst place in your house for perfume storage, temperature-wise.

What’s worse, a recent survey showed that 39% of people keep their fragrances in the bathroom along with other spray and skin care products. 

Hot showers increase the room temperature dramatically, thus triggering an evaporation process.

The lower the alcohol content of your perfumes, the less intense its aroma will be.

Are There Perfumes That Last Longer if Refrigerated?

Perfumes with a high concentration of natural oils or essences are more sensitive to heat and humidity than other fragrances.

Therefore, refrigeration might be exactly what this cologne category needs to keep its aromatic molecules intact.

In fact, fragrances need high temperatures to help their scent evaporate from the skin.

Exotic notes of herbs, spices, and citrus dissipate into the air first (which are also used as top notes for most perfumes). 

They’re quickly followed by woody notes like musk, which complement the mix.

Once aggressors like humidity or sunlight affect these notes, it’s impossible to enjoy the olfactory experience of your perfumes to their fullest.

Can Cold Weather Ruin Perfume?

Whether it’s winter or a cool autumn night, cold weather doesn’t affect your fragrances; on the contrary! 

Cooler temperatures allow your fragrance to evaporate gradually into the air.

Regardless of the perfume brand, you’ll get an unforgettable olfactory result that slowly begins once you wear the perfume outside. 

From floral notes of soft rose or violet to bold, ambery scents, these colognes now take their time to dissipate for a long-lasting impact.

The cold weather temperature also makes it easier to store your perfumes properly, be it in your car or purse.

The Bottom Line

Cologne freezes at temperatures ranging from -112°F to 28°F depending on its composition.

However, the freezer might not be an ideal storage place, especially for glass bottles, which might break due to thermal shock.

The ideal place to store cologne is a dark environment with a cold temperature, such as your refrigerator.

Although your perfume won’t freeze, it will still maintain a chemical balance that helps its intense notes evaporate gradually once you apply it.