There are a lot of terms out there for perfumes, but little explanation of what they all signify. And, while they may appear to be variants on the same theme, they each have a distinct meaning and specific use.
In short, a fragrance is a mixture of various plant and synthetic oils. Each type has a ratio of alcohol, oil, and water.
Here’s a quick rundown of what these ratios indicate, from strongest to weakest concentration:
Parfum/Extrait De parfum
Do not be confused by the terminology; these two are the same thing. Parfum earns the highest price and scent power among all fragrances due to its high concentration of fragrance oil.
- Parfum is the most durable, up to 10 hours.
- Its concentration lies between 20% – 30% of fragrance oil, the strongest!
- The composition of alcohol is also low as compared to others.
- Perfect for people with sensitive skin because less amounts of alcohol.
Eau De Parfum/Parfum De Toilette
The most universal concentration and what people consider “Perfume.”
- Concentrates more on middle notes and base notes.
- The concentration of Eau de parfum lies between 15% – 20%.
- It will linger on your skin for about 3 to 4 hours.
- Most suitable for a night out or when you want to get noticed.
Eau De Toilette
Eau de toilette is derived from the French term “Faire sa toilette,” which means getting ready. The reason why people consider it the go-to perfume for their casual outings.
- Gives you a breath of top notes before it gets faded.
- Eau de toilette is comparatively more affordable.
- The concentration is approximately 5% to 15% with higher levels of alcohol.
- The scent lasts up to 6 hours.
- Deserves to be on your summer fragrance list!
Eau De Cologne
- Eau de cologne has low fragrance concentration and higher alcohol content.
- Staying power is not more than 2 hours, hence requires re-application.
- Mostly it is made of herbs and citrus notes.
- The concentration range is 2% to 4%.
- Can be used as daily wear.
Eau Fraiche
There is not much difference between Cologne and Fraiche. They both work similarly when it comes to concentration and performance.
- Eau de Fraiche has low fragrance and alcohol content, suitable for sensitive skin.
- The concentration is lower, up to 1% to 3%.
- The staying power of Eau Fraiche is 2 hours max.
- Suitable for people with headache issues, as its scent is light and subtle.
We hope this fragrance breakdown will help you distinguish between various types of fragrances available in the market, so that on your next shopping spree, you’ll know which ones to buy, that would be the perfect fit for you!