What are Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette, and Eau de Parfum?

When trying to identify your signature scent, you need to pay attention to how long the fragrance can last.

That’s where Eau de Cologne, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, and Eau Fraîche come in.

1. Eau de Parfum (EDP)

After perfumes, EDP or perfume water, features the second-highest oil concentration with about 15 to 20% perfume essence (it gives off a stronger smell than other fragrances).

It’s a particularly ideal scent for sensitive skin, although it features a high alcohol content.

The fragrance type also lasts for about four to five hours, making it suitable for everyday use. 

It’s also one of the more popular types of fragrances.

Your body chemistry significantly determines the final scent of this fragrance.

So, before making it your signature scent, ensure you examine how it changes during the day. 

2. Eau de Toilette (EDT)

The term eau de toilette comes from the French term “faire sa toilette,” meaning getting ready.

Unlike perfume and parfum, EDT features a fragrance concentration of about 5 to 15%.

It’s also less costly than EDP, and is one of the most popular fragrance types available.

The scent typically lasts for two to about three hours and is considered the best daytime fragrance. Parfums’ scents are perfect for the evening.

Factors such as your skin type, hormone levels, and climate determine the eau de toilette’s final scent.

So, before making it your signature fragrance, ensure to check with a friend and see how the final scent prevails. 

3. Eau de Cologne (EDC)

In the past, the term eau de cologne referred to a traditional recipe consisting of herbs, and citrus notes with a slight anchoring of base notes.

Today, EDC is considered a favorite fragrance among men.

It features a lower fragrance concentration (about 2 to 4%) than EDT, which features a high alcohol content, making it the most affordable fragrance type.  

It also lasts for up to two hours.

EDC fragrances come in bigger bottles as you need to reapply them a few times throughout the day.

Your body chemistry determines its final scent. 

Therefore, before making it your signature fragrance, be sure to notice how it changes throughout the day.