Yes, perfume and cologne do go bad. ... However, three to five years is the average shelf life of a fragrance. According to experts, perfumes with heavier base notes will last the longest. Some people compare these perfumes to a fine wine—they get better with age.

How long does eau de toilette last?

Eau de toilette (EDT) has a fragrance concentration of between 5% to 15%. It is cheaper than the EDP and is one of the most popular types of fragrance available. It will normally last two to three hours and is considered by some as daywear (while EDP is considered nightwear).

How do I know if my perfume is expired?

Look for the expiry date on the body of the packaging or below the packaging. The best way to find the expiry date is by checking for the Batch Number or Period After Opening (aka PAO). Batch Number: this comes as a number count within the 3 to 12 number count range; letters of the alphabet are often inclusive.