Do you know the differences between an eau de parfum, an eau de toilette and an eau de cologne?

Although we are used to seeing the terminology eau de parfum, eau de toilette and eau de cologne on fragrance packaging, we are not always clear about what these terms mean and the differences between them. Get ready for a basic perfumery lesson that will clear up your doubts for good.

The main difference between an eau de parfum, an eau de toilette and an eau de cologne lies in the concentration. Fragrances are classified by the percentage of pure essence diluted in water and alcohol. Depending on the concentration, we are dealing with a more intense or lighter juice.

Eau de parfum (EDP)

A fragrance with a concentrated perfume percentage of 15-20%.

Eau de toilette (EDT)

A fragrance with a concentration of 5 % - 15 %.

Eau de cologne (EDC)

It has a concentration of between 2 % - 5 %.

Please note that there are no fixed rules or legislation for brands to choose to name their olfactory creations under the nomenclature EDP, EDT and EDC, but they do so by referring to the percentage concentration of the scent, in an approximate way.

How can you tell an eau de parfum from an eau de toilette and an eau de cologne?

If you were to distinguish an eau de parfum from an eau de toilette and an eau de cologne by smell alone, there are several clues that can help you classify them correctly:

Screening

Projection refers to the distance at which you can smell a perfume. To put it in a nutshell: the perfumed halo that envelops you and that someone can perceive when they are next to you.

The less concentrated a fragrance is, the subtler and lighter its projection. As you might guess, an eau de cologne is a softer and more discreet fragrance than an eau de toilette, which has slightly more intense (though moderate) notes, while an eau de parfum is the composition that has a more pronounced projection.

The projection refers to the distance at which a perfume can be smelled.

Duration

The duration or persistence of the perfume is closely related not only to the concentration, but also to the quality of the raw materials. So it is not always related to the type of scent, eau de parfum, eau de toilette or eau de cologne.

To give you a better understanding, the duration is the fixation of the perfume on the skin (the time it lasts until it disappears completely). It is different from projection, as a perfume with a good fixation does not necessarily have to have a strong projection. So we can find an eau de toilette with a good duration, even if it has an intermediate projection.

The duration or persistence of the perfume is closely related to the quality of the raw materials.

Trail (sillage)

The trail is the final stage of the olfactory pyramid of a perfume. Typically, the fragrance begins with soft notes called top notes. It then gives way to the heart notes, which reveal the complexity of the perfume. It ends with base notes, usually woody (even spicy), which are the ones that mark the final part or trail of the composition.

In the case of eau de cologne, the trail is usually very soft.

In eau de toilette, you will recognise a base with a woody touch to seal the fragrance and make it last longer.

And in eau de parfum, the combination of aromatic ingredients is sufficiently energetic so that the perfume can be felt for at least six hours after application.

The sillage is the trace that the perfume leaves behind after some time after its application.

The wide range and variety of fragrances we enjoy today gives us the possibility to choose what kind of olfactory experience we prefer: the subtle, evanescent freshness of an eau de toilette or eau de cologne, or an eau de parfum, with a more intense scent that leaves a mark and is an extension of our style. Which experience do you prefer?

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