There’s nothing more frustrating than spraying your favourite perfume, only for it to disappear within hours. Whether your scent is naturally light or just doesn’t last as long as you’d like, you’ve probably wondered:
"How can I make my perfume stronger?"
Traditionally, people have relied on moisturisers to improve fragrance longevity—but do they really work? Or is there a more effective way to extend a perfume’s wear and enhance its strength?
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand why some perfumes feel weak in the first place.
Why Is My Perfume Weak?
There are several reasons why a fragrance might not be performing as expected. Here are the most common factors:
1. Weak Formulation or Reformulation
✔ Some perfumes are intentionally light and designed to stay close to the skin.
✔ Fragrance houses sometimes reformulate their scents due to ingredient bans, cost-cutting, or brand decisions—leading to weaker performance.
✔ Older perfumes from the 2000s and before often had stronger formulations compared to their modern counterparts.
💡 Solution: Research batch codes or reviews to see if a perfume has been reformulated and whether previous versions performed better.
2. Fragrance Concentration (EDT vs EDP vs Parfum)
✔ Eau de Toilette (EDT) has a lower concentration (5-15%) and tends to last 4-6 hours.
✔ Eau de Parfum (EDP) contains more fragrance oils (15-20%) and lasts 6-8 hours.
✔ Parfum/Extrait is the most concentrated (20-40%) and can last 10+ hours.
💡 Solution: If longevity is an issue, consider upgrading to a higher concentration of the same scent.
3. Skin Type & pH Balance
✔ Dry skin absorbs fragrance quickly, causing it to fade faster.
✔ Oily skin holds onto scent better, leading to longer wear.
✔ Individual skin chemistry alters how perfume develops—some ingredients may evaporate faster or smell different from bottle to skin.
💡 Solution: If you have dry skin, applying a moisturising fragrance enhancer can help retain scent molecules.
4. Perfume Deterioration (Storage Issues)
✔ Perfume breaks down over time due to heat, light, and oxygen exposure.
✔ If stored incorrectly, a fragrance may lose potency or smell “off.”
✔ Citrus, floral, and fresh scents degrade faster than woody, musky, or amber-based fragrances.
💡 Solution: Store perfumes in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations.
5. Overexposure (Nose Fatigue)
✔ Wearing the same perfume daily can lead to olfactory fatigue, where your nose gets used to the scent and stops registering it.
✔ This can make a strong perfume seem weak, even if others can still smell it.
💡 Solution: Rotate your fragrances regularly to reset your nose.
After identifying why your perfume might be weak, let’s explore how to actually make it stronger.
Does Moisturising Make Perfume Last Longer?
Yes! Applying a moisturiser before perfume can help it last longer. Hydrated skin holds onto fragrance molecules better, preventing them from evaporating too quickly.
This is because dry skin absorbs and breaks down perfume faster, leading to a scent that fades more quickly than desired.
For best results, your moisturiser should be:
✅ Unscented – so it doesn’t interfere with your perfume.
✅ Rich in occlusives – such as shea butter, glycerin, or petroleum jelly, to help trap scent molecules.
However, while moisturising helps retain fragrance, it doesn’t enhance projection or intensify the scent itself. If your perfume has weak sillage (the trail a fragrance leaves behind), simply moisturising won’t turn it into a powerhouse scent.
Common Perfume "Hacks" (That Don’t Work Well)
People have tried various tricks to improve fragrance performance, including:
🚫 Layering with scented body lotions – Can help, but often alters the fragrance profile.
🚫 Applying perfume to clothes – Fabric holds scent longer but lacks projection, and some perfume ingredients don’t perform well on textiles.
🚫 Using petroleum jelly (Vaseline) – Creates a scent-trapping barrier but feels greasy and doesn’t enhance projection.
None of these methods actively intensify your perfume the way fragrance-enhancing ingredients do.
Fragrance-Boosting Ingredients: The Science Behind Stronger Perfumes
Certain synthetic fragrance compounds are designed to extend longevity and enhance diffusion. These are widely used in perfumery for their fixative properties:
1. Iso E Super
✔ A synthetic woody-amber molecule that creates a long-lasting, skin-hugging aura.
✔ Enhances projection subtly without overpowering the scent.
✔ Known for its ability to boost other fragrance notes.
2. Ambroxan
✔ A powerful alternative to natural ambergris.
✔ Acts as a fixative, helping other fragrance molecules linger longer.
✔ Adds a soft, musky warmth that improves scent longevity.
3. Galaxolide
✔ A synthetic musk that gives perfumes a clean, long-lasting drydown.
✔ Helps extend the lifespan of lighter, fresher scents.
Unlike moisturisers, these ingredients don’t just help retain scent—they enhance its intensity and projection.
The Ultimate Fragrance-Enhancing Solution
If you want maximum performance from your perfume, the best approach is to combine moisturising benefits with fragrance-enhancing ingredients.
A true fragrance enhancer should:
- Hydrate the skin to slow down fragrance evaporation.
- Include fixative ingredients like Iso E Super, Ambroxan, and Galaxolide to amplify scent strength.
- Work with any fragrance without altering its natural scent.
That’s exactly what Base Note was designed to do.
Why Base Note is the Ultimate Fragrance Enhancer
Base Note is the world’s first fragrance-enhancing balm, formulated with:
- Moisturising ingredients to keep skin hydrated.
- Fragrance fixatives like Iso E Super and Ambroxan to extend longevity.
- A non-greasy, fragrance-free formula that works with any perfume.
With Base Note, you spray less and get more compliments.
Say goodbye to weak fragrances and experience the science of scent amplification today.
If you’ve been struggling with a perfume that fades too quickly, moisturising can help, but fragrance-enhancing ingredients are the real game-changer.
Why settle for a scent that disappears when you can enhance its longevity and projection effortlessly?
Upgrade your fragrance experience with Base Note—the first science-backed solution for making your perfume last longer and smell stronger.