EDT, EDP or Parfum? A Simple Guide to Perfume Concentrations

The letters on the bottle tell you how much perfume oil is in the liquid. They do not tell you how good the fragrance is. Here is what each one means and how to choose.

The main concentrations

• Eau de Cologne (EDC): the lightest. Fresh and short-lived, made for a quick refresh.
• Eau de Toilette (EDT): light to moderate. Bright and easy, a classic choice for daytime and hot weather.
• Eau de Parfum (EDP): richer and usually longer lasting. The most common choice today.
• Parfum / Extrait de Parfum: the highest concentration. Dense, deep and often closer to the skin.

What about Elixir and Extrait?

You see these two names more and more. Extrait is the traditional name for the most concentrated form of a fragrance. Elixir is a newer name that houses use for a richer, more intense edition of a fragrance you already know. It is not a fixed concentration, and an Elixir often smells noticeably different from the original: usually warmer, sweeter or deeper. Treat it as a different fragrance and test it on its own.

Is higher always better?

No. A higher concentration usually means more depth and longer wear, but not more projection, and not a nicer smell. Many EDTs project further than the Parfum of the same name, because lighter formulas lift off the skin more easily. Versions of the same fragrance are also often different compositions, with notes added or removed.

Which one suits you?

• Hot days, office, close contact: EDT or a light EDP.
• All-round daily wear: EDP.
• Evenings, winter, occasions: Parfum, Extrait or Elixir.

The honest rule: choose the version that smells best on you, then the concentration that fits when you will wear it.

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