Ever felt lost reading a perfume label? Perfume concentration is the key that decodes strength, longevity, and price. Here's the plain-English guide.
The concentration ladder
- Eau de cologne (EDC): ~2–5% fragrance — very light, 1–2 hours.
- Eau de toilette (EDT): ~5–15% — fresh, 2–4 hours.
- Eau de parfum (EDP): ~15–20% — the common standard, 4–6 hours.
- Parfum / extrait: ~20–30% — rich and long, 6–8+ hours.
- Perfume oil: concentrated fragrance in oil, no alcohol — slow-releasing, 6–10 hours.
Higher concentration = longer, not always 'better'
More concentration generally means longer wear and richer scent — but format matters too. An oil can outlast a higher-percentage alcohol spray because oil evaporates slowly (full comparison: perfume oil vs eau de parfum).
Where perfume oil fits
Perfume oils sidestep the alcohol ladder entirely. By carrying fragrance in oil, they release the heart and base notes slowly and wear close to the skin — the approach behind the Roxelis Pheromone Roll-On (oil benefits).
How to use this when shopping
- Want all-day wear? Reach for parfum-strength or an oil.
- Want a light daytime spritz? EDT is fine.
- Confused by two versions of the same scent? The higher concentration lasts longer and usually smells a touch richer.
FAQ
What's the difference between EDP and EDT?
Concentration — EDP has more fragrance (15–20%) than EDT (5–15%), so it's richer and lasts longer.
Is perfume oil stronger than eau de parfum?
It's more concentrated and longer-lasting on skin, but projects more softly — intimate rather than loud.
Skip the ladder — go straight to long-wearing oil: Roxelis.