EDP, EDT or Parfum: what the labels mean

The name on the bottle tells you how much perfume oil the fragrance contains. The higher the concentration, the more intense the scent usually is and the longer it lasts.

Concentrations at a glance

• Parfum / Extrait de Parfum: roughly 20–30 % or more. The most intense and longest-lasting.
• Eau de Parfum (EDP): roughly 15–20 %. Rich, lasts through most of the day.
• Eau de Toilette (EDT): roughly 5–15 %. Lighter and fresher, needs reapplying.
• Eau de Cologne (EDC): roughly 2–5 %. A refreshing spritz for a short time.

These ranges are approximate – every brand has its own formula and there is no single official standard.

Is a higher concentration always better?

Not necessarily. The same perfume in EDT and EDP versions can smell noticeably different, because perfumers often adjust the composition, not just the strength. Choose the version whose scent you like, not just the number.

Longevity also depends on you

Skin type, temperature and where you spray all play a part. Moisturised skin and clothing hold scent longer – more in our article on making perfume last.

What to choose as a decant

An Eau de Parfum is ideal for a 10 ml decant: intense enough that a few sprays last the day, so 120–150 sprays go a long way. Attrape-Rêves is an Eau de Parfum.