A Detailed Guide to Eau de Toilette vs. Eau de Parfum
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If you’ve ever shopped for a perfume, you know there are a million choices. From different brands such as Gucci and Chanel to various notes like floral or musky, it can be hard to decide which scent is the best for you. And besides these choices, there are different types of fragrances: pure parfum, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and cologne. But the eau de toilette vs. eau de parfum dilemma is by far the most common one among shoppers.
So what’s right for you? Which one to choose? Read this guide to find out!
Eau de Toilette vs. Eau de Parfum
1. What's the Difference Between Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette?
When shopping for perfume, you’ve probably noticed that there are two popular types of fragrances: eau de parfum and eau de toilette. But how are they different exactly?
Eau de parfum is more concentrated than eau de toilette. It contains less alcohol and more essential oils, from 15% to 20%. This makes it a heavier, more intense scent that lingers on the skin for hours.
Eau de toilette, on the other hand, has more alcohol and a lighter concentration of essential oils, from 10% to 15%. As a result, it’s less intense and evaporates quickly.
2. Which Is Better—Eau de Toilette or Eau de Parfum?
Perfume industry statistics show that in 2020 an estimated 2.67 million women in the UK used eau de parfum and eau de toilette more than once a day. Their daily popularity shows that the choice between the two depends on your personal needs and preferences.
Comparing eau de parfum vs. eau de toilette shows they each have their own merits. If you like a light, fresh scent that won’t overpower those around you, then eau de toilette is the better choice. On the other hand, if you want a heavier, more intense scent that will last all day long, then eau de parfum is the way to go.
In the end, it comes down to what you prefer and what scent you think smells best on your skin.
3. Which Perfume Lasts Longer—Eau de Toilette or Eau de Parfum?
Because of the higher concentration of essential oils, eau de parfum lasts longer on the skin, even up to eight hours. But the higher amount of oils can influence sillage, namely the perfume scent trail on the skin. These oils combine with the natural body odour and change the way fragrance develops throughout the day. So, if you ever thought that your perfume smells a bit differently in the morning and evening, you were right, and this is the reason why.
Eau de toilette, on the other hand, contains less oil and evaporates quickly. It’s a good choice for daytime wear as it’s not too intense. But it won’t last as long as eau de parfum, so you’ll have to reapply it.
4. Which Type of Perfume Lasts the Longest?
As the alcohol evaporates, the essential oils remain to spread the scent. That’s why the type of perfume that lasts the longest is the one with the highest concentration of oils.
This type of perfume is pure parfum or extrait. This perfume contains up to 40% of essential oil concentration and keeps its scent for more than eight hours. Pure parfum is quite powerful, so it’s ideal for evening wear and special occasions.
5. Is Eau de Toilette For Men or Women?
Both men and women can use eau de toilette. It all depends on the scent notes and the concentration of essential oils.
Traditionally, perfume companies advertised cologne as men’s fragrance and perfume as women’s. But these days there are plenty of unisex fragrances, so don’t let the name fool you, and always test the scent before you buy it.
6. Should I Buy Eau de Parfum or Toilette?
If you’re trying to decide between eau de parfum and eau de toilette, ask yourself these three questions:
- How long do I want the scent to last?
Eau de toilette has a lower concentration of fragrance than eau de parfum, meaning it won’t last as long on your skin. In contrast, eau de parfum can be more powerful, so it’s important to choose a scent that you love.
- How much am I willing to spend?
Eau de parfum is typically more expensive than eau de toilette, but it may be worth it if you want the fragrance to last all day.
- When am I planning to wear it?
Keep in mind that eau de toilette is typically lighter and more refreshing, making it perfect for everyday use, such as going to the office or meeting up with friends for brunch. Eau de parfum is more intense and romantic, giving you an extra dash of style for dinner dates, parties, or night-outs.
Your answers to these questions will narrow your choice down. Now all you have to do is try out different scents and find the one that best suits your personality!
7. Is Eau de Parfum Stronger than Eau de Toilette?
Generally, yes. The higher essential oil concentration makes eau de parfum’s scent more robust and long-lasting. On the other hand, eau de toilette has a higher percentage of alcohol, so it evaporates in a couple of hours. During this time, its scent can be quite powerful if it contains stronger essential oils.
So even though eau de toilette loses its fragrance quicker than eau de parfum, it can still have a strong scent.
8. EDP vs. EDT vs. EDC
Now that we’ve explained eau de parfum and eau de toilette in detail, you may be wondering what EDC stands for, and how the three types of fragrances differ. Here’s our quick breakdown:
- EDP—eau de parfum—is the strongest of the three, with an essential oil concentration of up to 20%. It also lasts the longest, for around eight hours or more.
- EDT—eau de toilette—is a bit lighter, with around 10% of essence concentration and a four-hour-long effect.
- EDC—eau de cologne—has the weakest scent in this group. It has only about 3% to 5% of essential oil concentration, with the rest being alcohol and other chemicals. As the alcohol evaporates quickly, so does the scent of cologne, lasting for around two hours. Another difference is that EDC is usually advertised for and worn by men rather than women.
9. Is There a Difference Between Parfum and Eau de Parfum?
Comparing eau de parfum vs. parfum reveals some key differences between the two.
First, parfum is more concentrated than eau de parfum, with an essence of around 30%–40%. This means that the scent will last longer, for about eight hours or more.
In comparison, eau de parfum has a lower concentration of essential oils—around 15% to 20%. Its scent is not as intense as that of parfum, but it will still last long—for about six to eight hours.
10. How to Use Eau de Toilette
Eau de toilette releases the best scents when applied to dry skin. To make perfume last longer, apply it to the heated areas of your body. When it comes in contact with your natural body heat, the fragrance will diffuse more easily, making it stronger. For that effect, it’s best to put eau de toilette on your wrists, neck, inner elbow, and chest.
11. Is Eau de Parfum Worth It?
Yes! If you want a long-lasting fragrance with a strong scent, then eau de parfum is definitely worth the investment. It may be more expensive than eau de toilette, but it will last longer and the scent will be more intense.
12. Eau de Toilette Perfume Price: Is There a Difference?
Yes, there’s a difference in prices between different eau de toilette perfumes. The most expensive part of a perfume is the essential oils, so the higher their concentration, the higher the price.
But this is not the only criteria. The marketing, packaging, and perfume bottle production also influence the price. One of the most expensive perfumes in the world, Shumukh, is worth a staggering $1.29 million, partly because of its diamond-embellished bottle.
If you aren’t willing to pay more than a million dollars for perfume, don’t worry—this was just an extreme example.
Eau de toilette perfumes come at a range of prices, but a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean better quality. Before you decide on a perfume, it’s a good idea to look through the online reviews and try to get a free sample to make sure you like it. Cheaper options could surprise you pleasantly, so keep an open mind.
Parting Thoughts
So there you have it—all you need to know about the eau de toilette vs eau de parfum distinction. We hope our guide helped you understand these two types of fragrances better, and that you can now choose the one that best suits your needs. Happy shopping!
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