Guide To Fragrance Concentrations

Fragrance concentrations guide

There are so many fragrances available in a variety of scents, strengths, and bottles; it’s a lot to consider when buying a new scent. With terms like Parfum, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Cologne, Eau Fraiche and Aftershave, to contend with it can get very confusing, fast, especially if you’re shopping for a gift. The key difference between each of these is their concentration. A fragrance expert will know this as the ratio of perfume oils and alcohol to water, whereas the common nose will know it as how strong it smells or lasts on the skin.

To help you find your preference, and help you shop for fragrance with confidence, we’ve created a fragrance concentration guide which goes down in order of strength, power and longevity.

 

What is a Parfum? (Perfume/Parfum Extrait/Elixir)

Concentration: 40%
Longevity: 8+ hours
Strength of scent: very high
The strongest concentration of fragrance, a Parfum tends to be the most expensive as it comprises a potent blend of essential oils, pure fragrance and alcohol.
You have to wear very little to create a long-lasting scent so it should be dabbed sparingly on the skin.

 

Why should you choose this?

If you’re looking for a fragrance with a powerful aroma that lasts for a very long time on the skin.

 

What is an Eau de Parfum? (EDP)

Concentration:15% to 20%
Longevity: 8 hours
Strength of scent: high

Second highest fragrance strength is an Eau de Parfum. Eau de Parfum is most often presented in a spray format, although it is occasionally available in a dab variation from traditional perfume houses.

 

Why should you choose this?

If you’re looking for a more affordable high concentration that’s long-lasting.

 

What is an Eau de Toilette? (EDT)

Concentration: up to 15%
Longevity: 6 hours
Strength of scent: medium

Less concentrated is the Eau de Toilette fragrance. They don’t last as long on the skin as Parfum or Eau de Parfum, although they tend to be the most popular concentration due to their versatility. They contain fewer essential oils, a greater percentage of water and are nearly always presented in a spray, making them an appealing and very wearable choice.

 

Why should you choose this?

If you’re looking for a wearable fragrance that isn’t too overpowering or you enjoy switching up your fragrance for summer or throughout the day.

 

What is an Eau de Cologne? (EDC)

Concentration: up to 7%
Longevity: 4 hours
Strength of scent: low

Weaker than an Eau de Toilette, Eau de Colognes tend to have more uplifting scents due to its lower concentration.

 

Why should you choose this?

If you’re looking for a light and uplifting fragrance during the spring or summer.

 

Eau Fraiche (Summer Scent/Body Mist/Perfumed Mist)

Concentration: 1-3%
Longevity: 1-2 hours
Strength of scent: low

Somewhat similar to an Eau de Cologne, an Eau Fraiche has a very low concentration. It’s a light, scented refresher due to its weaker concentration, and some that don’t contain any alcohol at all.

 

Why should you choose this?

If you’re looking for a light and fresh fragrance for summer or warmer months.

 

What is an Aftershave Splash/Spray?

Concentration: 3%
Longevity: 1-2 hours
Strength of scent: low

Aftershaves are designed to be applied to the face after shaving due to their high alcohol content which helps to tighten pores. It has a very lightly fragranced concentration, which scents skin delicately without irritation and softens and smoothes the skin.

 

Why should you choose this?

If you’re looking for a fragrance that isn’t overpowering, shave frequently, and that can be incorporated into your everyday routine easily.

 

Is there a fragrance term you came across in this blog you didn’t understand? See our full glossary.

 

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Fragrance concentrations

Updated by Keavy Slattery: 15/09/2020.