The difference between eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and parfum is how much fragrance oil each one contains. The more oil, the stronger the scent, the longer it lasts, and usually the higher the price.
Here is what each label means, and which one to choose.
What does the concentration actually mean?
Every fragrance is fragrance oil dissolved in alcohol, and the name on the bottle tells you the ratio. A higher percentage of oil means a richer, longer-lasting scent that sits close to the skin. A lower percentage means something lighter and fresher that fades sooner. The categories below are approximate, since every house mixes a little differently.
Eau de Cologne (EdC)
Eau de cologne is the lightest, at roughly 2 to 4 percent fragrance oil. It is bright, fresh, and fleeting, usually lasting around two hours. It is made to be splashed on generously and refreshed through the day.
Eau de Toilette (EdT)
Eau de toilette sits around 5 to 15 percent oil. It is the most common style, light enough for daytime and warm weather, and it tends to last three to five hours. A good choice for an easy, everyday scent.
Eau de Parfum (EdP)
Eau de parfum runs roughly 15 to 20 percent oil. It is rich and long-wearing without being heavy, and it usually lasts five to eight hours. For most people it is the sweet spot, strong enough to carry a full day and balanced enough to wear anywhere. LÆRÖS is eau de parfum.
Parfum (Extrait)
Parfum, also called extrait, is the most concentrated, from about 20 to 30 percent oil or more. It is intense and intimate, lasting eight to twelve hours or longer from just a touch. It is also the most expensive, because it carries the most oil.
How long does each one last?
From shortest to longest: cologne around two hours, toilette three to five, eau de parfum five to eight, and extrait eight to twelve or more. Your own skin shifts these numbers, and how to stretch them is covered in how to make your perfume last longer.
Which concentration should you choose?
Choose by how you want to wear it, not by which is best. Eau de parfum is the safest all-rounder. Reach for eau de toilette in heat or when you want something light, and parfum when you want intensity and the longest wear and do not mind the price. Strength is a preference, not a ranking.
Frequently asked questions
Is eau de parfum stronger than eau de toilette? Yes. Eau de parfum carries more fragrance oil, so it is richer and lasts longer than eau de toilette.
Does a higher concentration always last longer? Generally yes. More oil means slower evaporation and longer wear, though the specific notes and your skin also matter.
Is eau de parfum better than eau de toilette? Not better, just stronger and longer-lasting. The right one depends on the weather, the occasion, and how present you want the scent to be.
What concentration does LÆRÖS use? Eau de parfum, around 20 percent, for full-day wear that still feels refined. Explore the editions
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