Eau de Parfum vs. Eau de Toilette: We Asked Experts to Explain The Difference

Fragrance is incredibly personal. We associate it with a specific time, memory, or person, which is consequently why it can evoke such emotional responses. Yet, how much do we actually know about our favorite elusive scents? Yes, you may be able to list the main notes in each bottle, but beyond that, things get murky. Specifically, you may not know that fragrances are divided into two main categories: Eau de parfum and Eau de toilette.

With the help of experts, we determined what the two terms actually mean, plus how the fragrances differentiate. They also gave us insight into how to find the option that best suits you. Keep reading to learn how Eau de parfums and Eau de toilettes compare

Meet the Expert

• Mary Wallace is the director of sales and marketing at D.S. & DURGA and a former marketing manager for the French perfumery, Diptyque.
• Pia Long is a perfumer and cofounder of Olfiction Limited, a UK-based fragrance consultancy.

Eau de Parfum vs. Eau de Toilette: What’s the Difference?

As it turns out, the distinction between Eau de parfum formulas and their Eau de toilette counterparts is clear and simple. According to both Wallace and Long, it all comes down to a classification that the brand makes, based on how the perfume feels in fragrance concentration and depth. “Generally, an Eau de toilette concentration is between 8 percent and 12 percent, while an Eau de parfum concentration is between 12 percent and 18 percent, although the concentrations of EDT versus EDP can vary,” Wallace explains.

In french, “Eau” translates to water, while “toilette” refers to the bathroom or the act of washing one’s self. “Eau de toilette” is fitting for a less concentrated fragrance, while “Eau de parfum” is generally richer in scent and long-lasting.

“It is important to understand that the percentage of fragrance oil in the perfume is not a simple qualitative value—because just like you would only want a certain amount of tea leaves in your pot of tea, more isn’t always better,” says Long. “Depending on the type of perfume, sometimes less is more—and sometimes a higher concentration is necessary to achieve the intended effect.”

One thing is for sure: No matter if the specific numbers vary by product or brand, an Eau de parfum will always be more concentrated than an Eau de toilette.

Do Eau de Parfums Last Longer Than Eau de Toilettes?

What’s interesting is how the scent “experience” changes between an Eau de parfum and an Eau de toilette. “As the juice is present in a higher concentration, the sillage—or lasting power of the scent—will often change, and this increased wear will change how the fragrance develops on the skin throughout the day,” Wallace explains. In other words, an Eau de parfum has a higher concentration of fragrance, which results in a longer-lasting and more aromatic application.

Do Eau de Parfums and Eau de Toilettes Have the Same Scent?

Eau de parfum and Eau de toilette might not smell the same, even if they’re labeled as being the same fragrance. For Diptyque fragrances, at least, the actual formula is tweaked to accommodate the different concentrations of fragrance. “For Diptyque, the Eau de parfum is not simply a more concentrated version of the Eau de toilette—the Eau de parfum is a new interpretation of the original composition. For example, in the Do Son Eau de toilette, you have tuberose, jasmine, and orange blossom in harmony, while in the Eau de parfum, you have a true overdose of tuberose. This note is amplified, which brings a different dimension to the experience of the scent,” says Wallace.

According to Long, it depends on the brand. “In classic perfume brands, for example, it often isn’t the same scent; both have the same central theme, but the proportions of top, middle, and base notes may be balanced differently,” she says. “Sometimes the theme is stretched further with additional notes or a different twist entirely. On the other hand, in many niche perfumes, for example, you may find it’s the same fragrance oil, but at different concentrations.”

Wallace says that’s why Eau de parfums and Eau de toilettes aren’t exactly interchangeable. “Often, the Eau de toilette is both lighter and fresher, while the Eau de parfum is richer and more lasting. For daytime or office wear, the Eau de toilette may be more comfortable and appropriate, while the Eau de parfum offers more depth, which can be nice for the evening,” she says. You might also want to consider the temperature and time of year before choosing one over the other. “In humid and hot climates, a crisp Eau de toilette may be preferable, while in cooler weather, an Eau de parfum may offer more warmth and depth.”

Do Eau de Toilettes or Parfums Ever Expire?

Like most things, Long notes, perfume does expire. “Perfume is alive and has an expiry,” she says. This can be due to many facts, and there is no hard and fast rule on how long a perfume is good for, as it depends on the brand, the scent, and where it is stored.

If you’re unsure, check the label on your perfume. If your perfume has oxidized due to the chemical composition, changed colors, or the scent has altered (it can smell sour, acidic, or metallic), it’s probably time to toss.

How to Choose Between Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum

In Long’s experience, the best way to choose between Eau de toilette and parfum is to wear each (from a store tester or a sample or a trial size) if possible. You may find that you simply prefer one over the other. “If you’re having to choose without this option, consider Eau De Toilette the likeliest to be one suitable for daytime and office wear, and Eau de Parfum the likeliest to last the night,” she echoes of Wallace’s statement.

The Final Takeaway

If you didn’t believe it before, this should have convinced you that fragrance is indeed a fine art and not just an olfactory instinct of “this smells good” and “this doesn’t.” Before purchasing your next fragrance, test out both the Eau de parfum and the Eau de toilette versions. Also, be sure to pay mind to what time of day, time of year, and setting you’ll be wearing the fragrance in. As Diptyque taught me, all of it matters.

FAQ

• Do men wear eau de parfum or eau de toilette?

  Anyone of any gender identity can wear whatever fragrance they choose. Fragrances marketed toward men are often referred to as eau de colognes but are usually available as eau de toilettes as well. Some fragrances marketed toward men, such as Chanel’s Bleu de Chanel, are marketed as eau de parfums.

• Where should I spray my perfume to make it last longer?

  Applying fragrance directly to your skin post-shower—right after you’ve moisturized—is a great way to extend the wear time. “Fragrance binds to the oils in your skin, so applying it after your body lotion or oil creates a better surface for the scent molecules to bind to,” Henry Rose co-founder and CEO Melina Polly told us. “Fragrance lasts longest when your skin is hydrated, making the best time to spritz right after your shower or bath.”

• Should you spray perfume in your hair?

  It’s best to avoid spritzing your strands. “An alcohol-based formula tends to dry and damage the hair,” Bvlgari senior creative director Amadine Pallez told us. If you’re set on adding fragrance to your hair, opt for an alcohol-free formula or, even better, a scented hairspray.