The Truth About Perfume Concentrations: Eau de Toilette vs. Parfum
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Walk into a store and you’ll see a dozen labels: Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Cologne, extrait, body mist… Confusing? Absolutely. Let’s simplify it.
It all comes down to concentration of aromatic oils:
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Extrait de Parfum: 20–30% concentration. Strong, long-lasting, luxurious. A little goes a long way.
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Eau de Parfum (EDP): 15–20%. Rich, balanced, ideal for daily use.
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Eau de Toilette (EDT): 5–15%. Lighter, fresher, better for summer or office wear.
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Eau de Cologne (EDC): 2–5%. Great for quick refreshers; doesn’t last long.
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Body mists / splashes: Around 1–3%. Cheap and cheerful, but fleeting.
Higher concentration doesn’t always mean better. It depends on your context. Sometimes a soft EDT is more appropriate than a heavy extrait, especially in close quarters.
It’s not about strength—it’s about suitability.