Perfumery Craft
Fragrance Concentration
Fragrance concentration is the ratio of perfume oil to a solvent (e.g ethanol) and additives (such as water, antioxidants, etc.) in a finished product, which determines whether it is sold as an extrait de parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette or eau de cologne.
Extrait de parfum (or parfum) is the most concentrated at 20–40% oil: dense, close to the skin and the longest-lasting, often 8+ hours. Eau de parfum (EDP), the most common luxury format at 15–20%, balances strong projection with good longevity. Eau de toilette (EDT) is lighter at 5–15% and leans on bright top notes for fresh, daytime wear, while eau de cologne (EDC), at 2–4%, is a very light, citrus-forward style that evaporates quickly and takes its name from Cologne, Germany. These ranges aren't regulated and vary by brand, and the same composition can smell noticeably different at different strengths.
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