parfum, edp, EdT and edc

Perfumes and concentration - an overview

We have all seen them, the acronyms on the perfume bottles, and wondered what exactly do they mean and what is considered “better” than the others? Simply put it has to do with the amount of the different components that are used (fragrance-substances, alcohol and water). The higher the concentration of a certain substance is, the better. The following is an overview to help you sort out what is what.

There are some general rules for the amount of concentrate in the different types, although it may differ between different brands or perfume-series. This is roughly how it works:

Parfum; has the highest concentration of fragrance-substances in the form of essential oils, between 15-30%, and stays cirka eight hours on the skin. Especially pure extracts (“extrait”) such as some of the perfumes from Nasomatto and Profumo Roma peaks the scale of the amount of concentrate used however, with their 40%. After that comes, in order:
Eau de Parfum (EdP); contains cirka 10-30% fragrance-substances and stays about five hours on the skin.
Eau de Toilette (EdT); contains cirka 5-20% and lasts for about three hours.
Cologne/Eau de Cologne (EdC); Contains cirka 5% fragrance-substances and lasts for about one to one and a half hours on the skin. Eau de Cologne is therefore the most watered down of the different variations and often requires a few extra sprays throughout the day.

These factors reflect upon the price, of course. Other factors such as the quality of the ingredients, exclusivity (the number of bottles produced, branding etc.) and packaging also plays a part in the price.

SKIN TYPE AND NOTES

One could wish that such practical terms and acronyms as the ones above would be enough as guidance but the reality of the situation isn’t that simple. The scents, fragrances and pH-value of your own skin plays an important role in how long a fragrance stays on your skin. High quality ingredients and oils that are often used in so called niche-perfumes works actively with your skin in a very different way than synthetic ingredients do, which means that some people pick up some notes better than others. That’s why a niche-perfume has a unique scent for every person.

With other words, if your skin doesn’t pick up an ingredient very well it doesn’t necessarily mean that the life of the perfume is longer because it has a higher concentration. Conversely the notes that you skin might enhance may last longer. You also have to consider the characteristics of the fragrance and its structure (citrus, smoke, leather, marine etc) and how how its resident notes works on you in particular.

"sillage"

Take notice to that although a higher concentration makes a fragrance last longer, it doesn’t necessarily make it have a stronger scent for your surroundings, which in the perfume world is called “sillage”. Usually the more pure extracts with a conectare of 30-40% is a more intimate experience. Instead of reaching out to your surroundings it sticks closer to your skin often requires one to come in close to pick up the scent, but once they do they stay there. Therefore it’s an excellent perfume to wear at work, where you would want a fragrance that last for a long time and doesn’t chock your colleagues when you walk past. Naturally you need to keep the fragrance’s style and character in mind.