Fragrances have always been synonymous with 'pleasantness' regardless of one's culture, background, ethnicity, or even gender. They have been a form of expressing oneself. Hence, many of us buy or gift a perfume we like to liven our mood and enhance positivity in the right context, occasion or setting. It’s no wonder the French terms for different perfume types sound sophisticated enough, from Eau De Cologne, Eau De Toilette to Eau De Parfum. But you might be wondering about the difference between the latter two. And which one is better? Eau De Toilette or Eau De Parfum?
Every scent has unique chemical properties made up of essential perfume oil and alcohol content, along with other additives that make it feel and smell different. Normally, the perfume oil concentration determines how long the scent lasts, but other factors such as skin type, weather, fragrance additives, and chemical composition of perfume also influence the intensity and duration of the scent. So you can find many different types and brands of perfumes on the market, but they are not always easy to understand.
Eau De Toilette (EDT)
EDT literally means 'toilet water’ or scented water (to be more polite). In the past, perfumers created this scent category to describe fragrances that can be used in bathrooms. Now, it has become a go-to perfume for anyone who loves a particular fragrance but doesn't want the scent to follow them for the rest of the day. There are a wide range of EDTs available, but they all have similar characteristics. Click here to browse our range of Eau de Toilettes that you can sample before buying.
EDTs differ from EDPs in many ways, but the most important distinction between them is the concentration of perfume oil. Eau de Toilette uses around 5% to 15% of fragrance oil—the rest is alcohol—giving it a light and fresh, subtle scent. It usually lasts for only a few hours at a time, so you may have to apply more than one or two sprays to get the desired intensity. Even if you do go overboard with EDTs, most fragrance notes become less intense and fade away quickly, making them perfect for day-to-day use. They are also suitable for sensitive skin types and for the warm summer months. Eau de Toilette is also a lot cheaper than Eau de Parfum, since the concentration of perfume oil usually determines the price of different fragrances.
Eau De Parfum (EDP)
The French term ‘parfum’ means "pertaining to perfume", or to put it simply, EDP refers to perfume. An Eau de Parfum is usually a mixture of fragrances blended together that often includes fruity top notes, flowery middle notes, woody base notes, and sometimes animalic undertones. It has a higher fragrance oil concentration – usually between 10% to 20% – and less alcohol content than Eau De Toilettes, making them denser, richer and more intense compared to EDTs. The middle and base perfume notes of an EDP also linger on for some time, so its pleasant scent is usually noticeable for a longer duration, even up to 8 hours a day.
An Eau de Parfum is usually pricier than an Eau de Toilette due to its higher scent oil concentration, long-lasting intensity and attractive bottles and packaging, although they can be less expensive than pure perfumes. EDPs are also more potent and luxurious perfumes, so only a few touches are needed to achieve the desired effect, as the remaining middle and base fragrances become more noticeable and consistent over time. This makes them suitable for evening or night-time activities or any special occasion.
If you’re unsure what to buy, you can purchase small samples of our Eau de Parfum range to try out different fragrances that speak to your taste and personality. This will help you avoid making expensive purchases on perfumes and also make a long-lasting impression when it matters the most.