Fragrance Concentrations Explained

Fragrance concentration determines how strong and long-lasting a scent is. Higher concentration means more perfume oil and less alcohol. Here's the lineup, from lightest to strongest:

Eau de Cologne (EDC)

2–5% perfume oil. Light, bright, fades fast. Lasts about 2 hours. Designed to be refreshed throughout the day. Common in citrus and aquatic scents.

Eau de Toilette (EDT)

5–15% perfume oil. The everyday workhorse. Lasts about 3–4 hours. Projects moderately. Great for office, daytime, warmer weather.

Eau de Parfum (EDP)

15–20% perfume oil. The most popular concentration in modern fragrance. Lasts about 3–6 hours. Stronger projection and richer development through the day. Versatile across seasons and occasions.

Parfum / Extrait de Parfum

20–40% perfume oil. The most concentrated form. Lasts about 6–8 hours or more. Wears closer to the skin (intimate sillage) but extremely long-lasting. Often the most luxurious and expensive tier of a fragrance line.

Parfum Oil / Concentrated Perfume Oil

Pure or near-pure perfume oil in a carrier oil base — no alcohol. Lasts 8–12 hours or longer. Skin-close projection. Common in Middle Eastern perfumery (oudh, attars). Apply sparingly — a single dab on pulse points goes a long way.

A note on performance

Longevity and projection are estimates and vary by individual skin chemistry, climate, time of day, and how you apply the fragrance. For best results, spray to clean skin straight from the shower, or apply over unscented body lotion to lock the scent in.