Eau De Parfum VS Eau De Toilette

We all have our favourite fragrances but we oh so often hear the same question - what is the difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum?

As these are the two most common types of fragrances available, it makes sense to compare them.

The Difference Between Eau De Toilette And Eau De Parfum

The answer is simply the concentration of the perfume or aftershave.

Think of this blog post as a little guide to buying your next fragrance, be it EDT or EDP.

EDT & EDP Concentrations

So, what does 'concentration' mean? It is the strength of the perfume. The higher the concentration, the stronger and longer lasting a perfume is.

More perfume oils are used (and less alcohol) in stronger concentrations like EDP.

Generally speaking, an eau de toilette (EDT) has a lower concentration than an eau de parfum (EDP).

The concentration of an EDT is normally between 8% and 12%. In an EDP, it is higher and normally between 12% and 18%.

Eau De Parfum VS Eau De Toilette

Now, let's dive into the differences in more detail:

Eau De Toilette (EDT)

An EDT is often the cheaper option (many perfumes are available in both EDT & EDP) making them more affordable.

This is because the concentration is weaker (between 8% and 12%) than that of an EDP.

Because of this, most people associate an eau de toilette as a daytime fragrance - something you can wear to work or a spot of lunch.

You can expect the fragrance to linger for around 3 hours if you choose an EDT.

Eau De Parfum (EDP)

The longer lasting of the two options, an EDP is also the more expensive option.

The concentration is generally between 12% and 18% which also helps the fragrance to last longer - you can expect the longevity to be around 5 hours.

An EDP can be classed as a nighttime fragrance due to how long it lasts - think a date night or even a night on the town.

Do you have sensitive skin? If so, an EDP will be better for your skin due to the lower concentration of alcohol.

Remember, with an EDP you can use less sprays as the concentration of perfume oils is higher.

Does An EDT Smell The Same As An EDP?

Let's take Dior Sauvage as an example. So you have:

Dior Sauvage Eau De Toilette

And you have Dior Sauvage Eau De Parfum.

Both of these aftershaves are the same - but the concentration is different.

One is the eau de toilette so is cheaper but also weaker than the other.

One is the eau de parfum so is more expensive but also stronger than the other.

But - do they smell the same? In theory, they should smell the same. In reality, they smell almost the same.

For example:

Someone walks past you wearing the EDT version of Dior Sauvage. 10 minutes later, someone walks by you wearing the EDP version of the same fragrance.

More than likely, you'll recognise both as the same fragrance because they are extremely similar.

It's only if you smell them at the same time that you pick up on the ever so slight differences - certain notes may be a little sweeter for instance. But you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in an everyday situation.

Will My Fragrances Expire?

Most fragrances tend to have a shelf life of between 3 and 5 years.

If you're like myself and get hooked on a fragrance, you'll fall very short of the 3 year mark!

However, if you're only an occasional user or have that certain fragrance for special occasions you may want to grab the EDT version.

The reason being is because eau de toilettes contain more alcohol which acts as a preservative of the fragrance.

Where as a an EDP contains less alcohol meaning it ages just that bit quicker.

If you really want to keep your fragrances smelling their best for as long as possible, think about how you store it.

We recommend keeping it in the original bottle and packaging for its lifetime. Also, a dark cupboard and consistent temperatures (room temperature if perfect) will really make a difference.

Will An Eau De Parfum Last Longer Than An Eau De Toilette?

In short, yes. An EDP will last longer on the skin than an EDT.

But we should say this in regards to you choosing the same fragrance. You can't compare an EDP and an EDT if one is a woody fragrance and the other floral.

The notes in each are completely different - for example, fruity notes tend to die down much quicker even when the concentrations are higher.

We recommend trying a fragrance on your own skin before committing to purchasing a full bottle. Your skin is different to everybody else's and the way a fragrance smells on you may not be the same as the next person.

Hint: our fragrance samples are perfect for trying a fragrance before purchasing a big bottle.