Eau de Parfum vs Eau de Toilette: What Are the Differences?

Whether you're loyal to a signature scent, or you have a different perfume for every mood, fragrance is undeniably one of the most personal beauty products around. The part of the brain that controls your sense of smell is also responsible for memories and emotions. Every spritz of scent impacts how others will remember you.

With this in mind, there's a lot to think about when adding to your fragrance collection, including the notes, chemistry, price, and how it mixes with your skin's natural odour. And, you'll also need to decide where you stand on the eau de parfum vs. eau de toilette debate.

Not sure what the differences are between eau de parfum and eau de toilette? Keep reading to find out!

What is Eau de Parfum?

Eau de parfum (EDP) means "perfume water" in French. Although it can vary depending on the brand of the fragrance, eau de parfum usually has a concentration of between 12 and 18 per cent of perfume oil in the fragrance formula.

This concentration of perfume oil is second only to parfum, also called extrait de parfum or pure perfume. Parfum can contain anything from 15 to 40 per cent perfume oil, although most parfums contain 20 to 30 per cent.

With more fragrance oil than eau de toilette (EDT), eau de parfums tend to be thicker and more oily in texture. They also contain less alcohol so people with sensitive skin may find eau de parfums less irritating and drying on the skin. Eau de parfums do still contain some alcohol though. This allows them to work as a spray-on fragrance rather than with a dropper.

When comparing different eau de parfums, it's important to understand that higher percentages of perfume oil are not always superior. Scents are complex mixtures of notes and ingredients, none of which have a simple qualitative value. Depending on the type of fragrance, there are times when less is more. In other cases, a higher concentration of perfume oil may be necessary to achieve the intended effect.

A higher concentration of perfume oil can make a fragrance more expensive though. This is why eau de parfums tend to be more expensive than eau de toilettes per millilitre. Of course, many rich and luxurious eau de parfum scents can be a lot more affordable if you know where to shop for them.

What is Eau de Toilette?

Eau de toilettes can contain anything between five and 15 per cent perfume oil. That said, the exact concentration of perfume oil can vary between brands and fragrances depending on the amount necessary to achieve the desired effect. Most of the time, eau de toilettes contain between eight and 12 per cent perfume oil.

The lower percentage of perfume oil in eau de toilettes means that they tend to be lighter and fresher compared to richer and denser eau de parfums. EDTs also contain more alcohol than EDPs. This means that they tend to have a thinner consistency, offering a finer, lighter mist when sprayed onto the skin.

The name eau de toilette comes from "faire sa toilette", a French phrase which means to get ready. Many people consider spritzing on a little eau de toilette to be an integral part of getting ready. Although, because of the lower concentration of perfume oil, many consider EDT more appropriate for daywear or even for wearing to work.

Eau de toilette is one of the most popular fragrance types available. It is rare, in fact, to find a brand or fragrance name that doesn't include an EDT as part of the range.

Do Eau de Parfums and Eau de Toilettes Smell Different?

As explained in the eau de parfum guide above, EDPs and EDTs have different concentrations of perfume oil. They also contain different amounts of alcohol, giving them different consistencies and densities.

But do these different ingredient ratios affect how they smell? And if so, how?

If you were to compare an eau de parfum and an eau de toilette with the same fragrance notes, they would smell similar, but not exactly the same. The higher concentration of perfume oil in eau de parfums often means that they have a higher level of fragrance intensity.

What's more, certain notes in different concentrations can react in different ways with the skin. There will be yet more differences when you consider how some notes may endure for longer or fade faster. This then gives way to distinct note combinations and dimensions as the fragrance develops over time.

While these differences can be subtle, eau de parfums and eau de toilettes create unique experiences for the wearer. For this reason, it's possible to prefer one to the other. For example, you might love the fresh and airy scent of Daisy Dream EDT by Marc Jacobs. But the same fragrance in an EDP might not be quite right for you.

Or, you may like the smell of both but with different occasions in mind. In some cases, the heightened sensation of a rich and intense eau de parfum in your favourite fragrance could be ideal for an evening out. The less intense eau de toilette version, in contrast, might be better suited to daytime wear.

A good analogy is to consider the same scent in these different fragrance types as sisters rather than twins. Between an eau de parfum and an eau de toilette, there will be likenesses and hints of the same defining features. But more often than not, each form will be as unique as the person wearing it.

Eau de Parfum vs. Eau de Toilette: Understanding the Differences

Now that you've had a chance to consider both sides of the eau de parfum vs. eau de toilette debate, it's clear that neither is better than the other.

With their different concentrations of perfume oil, EDPs and EDTs tend to suit different occasions, serve different purposes, and fall into different price points. And now you understand the differences between them, all you have to do is decide which one you want!

Whether you're shopping for an eau de parfum or an eau de toilette, you can find all the top brands at Perfume Price! Feel free to get in touch with us for more information or check out our bestsellers for plenty of fragrance inspiration!