Guide to perfume concentrations

It happens often in boutiques: a customer has two bottles with the same name in their hands, one says eau de toilette and the other eau de parfum, and asks us if it's the same perfume. The short answer is: almost. The long answer is this article.

What concentration indicates

A perfume is made of essences (the part that smells) dissolved in alcohol, with a little water. The concentration tells you how much of the liquid is essence. There is no law that sets the numbers, every maison makes its own choices, but generally the values are these:

• Eau de cologne: about 2–5% essences. Fresh, immediate, you spray it generously.
• Eau de toilette: about 5–15%. Bright, lighter, perfect for daytime and in the heat.
• Eau de parfum: about 15–20%. The most popular choice: it lasts all day and can be smelled without being overpowering.
• Extrait de parfum (or parfum): about 20–40%. A few drops are enough, it lasts a long time, often until the next day on clothes.

More concentrated doesn't just mean "stronger"

The difference is not just volume. With less alcohol, a perfume opens up more slowly, stays closer to the skin, and changes over the hours. Many extraits are softer and rounder than their eau de parfum, not more aggressive. On the contrary, an eau de toilette highlights the top notes: citrus, aromatics, the brightest part.

Sometimes the maison even rewrites the formula. Two versions with the same name can have different notes: it is always worth looking at the fragrance pyramid of each, which you can find in the product page of each perfume.

How to choose yours

Three questions we always ask:

1. When do you wear it? At the office, at the gym, in summer: a lighter concentration is better. In the evening, in winter, for a special occasion: an eau de parfum or an extrait.
2. How much do you want it to be smelled? If you like leaving a trail, go up in concentration. If you prefer that only the person who hugs you smells it, a well-dosed extrait does exactly that.
3. Does your skin hold it? On dry skin, perfume evaporates sooner. In that case, a higher concentration helps (and also a neutral cream before spraying).

The safest way remains trying it: a sample tells you in one day what no description can tell you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum?

The amount of essences: usually between 5 and 15% in eau de toilette, between 15 and 20% in eau de parfum. Eau de parfum lasts longer and changes more slowly on the skin; eau de toilette is lighter and brighter.

How long does an extrait de parfum last?

It depends on the notes and the skin, but an extrait generally lasts for many hours and on clothes until the next day. Two or three drops on the pulse points are enough.

Does the same perfume in different concentrations have the same notes?

Often yes, but not always: some maisons reformulate the more concentrated version. It is worth comparing the fragrance pyramid of each version and, if you can, trying both.