LUXÉ PARFUMS

Guide

Eau de Parfum vs Eau de Toilette: What’s the Difference?

The words on a perfume box tell you roughly how concentrated the fragrance is. That affects how strong it smells, how close it sits to your skin and, often, how long it lasts — and it helps explain why the same name can come at very different prices.

The main concentrations

A fragrance is a blend of aromatic oils diluted in a carrier, usually alcohol. The percentage of aromatic material sets the category. There is no single legal standard, so different houses use slightly different ranges, but these are the usual guides:

  • Extrait de parfum (or parfum): the richest, often around 20% and higher. Usually the most intense and longest-lasting version of a scent.
  • Eau de parfum (EDP): typically around 15–20%. A good balance of strength and wearability, and the most common concentration for modern perfumes.
  • Eau de toilette (EDT): typically around 5–15%. Lighter and brighter, often favoured for daytime and warm weather.
  • Eau de cologne (EDC): usually below 5%. Fresh and fleeting — made to be splashed on and reapplied.

Concentration isn’t the whole story

Longevity depends on what a fragrance is made of as much as how much of it there is. Fresh citrus and light floral notes evaporate quickly, while woods, amber, vanilla, musk and oud linger. A dense, oud-heavy eau de parfum can outlast a citrus extrait. Your skin, the climate and how much you apply all play a part too.

Other formats you’ll see

  • Perfume oils are usually alcohol-free and applied straight to the skin. They tend to sit close and wear softly. Shop perfume oils.
  • All-over and body sprays are lighter versions made for generous spritzing and refreshing through the day. All-over sprays · Body sprays.
  • Travel sizes (such as 20ml) are ideal for trying a scent or carrying one with you. Shop travel sizes.

Which should you choose?

If you want one bottle that lasts through a workday, an eau de parfum is a dependable choice. For evenings, special occasions or simply maximum presence, look for an extrait — many in our collection carry the word in their name, so search for “extrait”. If you prefer something light that you can reapply freely, reach for an all-over spray or a travel size.