Walk past any perfume counter and you will see the same words on bottle after bottle: eau de toilette, eau de parfum, parfum. They are not marketing fluff. They tell you how concentrated the fragrance is, which affects how strong it smells, how long it lasts and often how much it costs.
Concentration in plain terms
Perfume is a blend of aromatic oils dissolved in alcohol. The higher the share of oils, the richer the perfume. Ranges vary by brand, but a useful rule of thumb is:
- Eau de Cologne: about 2–5% oils
- Eau de Toilette (EDT): about 5–15%
- Eau de Parfum (EDP): about 15–20%
- Parfum or Extrait de Parfum: about 20–40%
Eau de toilette
EDT feels lighter and brighter, with the top notes more prominent. It is a great choice for daytime, office wear and hot, humid days when a heavy scent would feel overwhelming. Expect to reapply on long days.
Eau de parfum
EDP is the most popular concentration because it balances presence and wearability. The heart and base notes come through more, and most people find it lasts noticeably longer than an EDT. It works for almost any occasion.
Parfum and extrait
The richest form. Projection is often closer to the skin, but the scent is dense and long-lasting. One or two sprays is plenty, making it ideal for evenings and special occasions.
Does higher concentration always last longer?
Usually, but not always. Ingredients matter: woods, ambers, musks and oud are naturally long-lasting, while citrus fades quickly even in a strong concentration. Your skin type and climate play a part too.
Which should you buy?
If you want something easy for everyday wear, start with an EDT. If you want one bottle for most occasions, choose an EDP. If you love depth and wear perfume mainly in the evening, try a parfum. Browse by concentration using the filters in our shop, or let our Fragrance Finder narrow it down.
