What is the Difference Between Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum

The main difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum is that eau de parfum has a stronger smell than eau de toilette since eau de parfum has a higher concentration of fragrance oil.

Perfumes can be divided into different categories based on their perfume concentration. This is the amount of perfume essence mixed with water or alcohol. What we call by perfume or perfume essence may actually contain natural ingredients, perfume extracts, essential oils, and any aromatic oil. Eau fraiche, eau de cologne, eau de toilette, eau de parfum/perfume and parfum are the various categories of perfumes based on their perfume concentration (listed from low concentration to high concentration).

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Eau de Toilette
     – Definition, Fragrance, Use
2. What is Eau de Parfum
     – Definition, Fragrance, Use
3. Relationship Between Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum

What is Eau de Toilette

Eau de toilette is a light and fresh fragrance that has a weaker concentration of fragrance than pure perfume. It also has a weaker concentration of fragrance than eau de parfum. In fact, eau de toilette has 4 to 15% pure perfume and can last for 3 to 4 hours. The word toilette actually comes from the French phrase “faire sa toilette”, which means getting ready. Moreover, eau de toilette is usually considered as a daytime fragrance.

Since eau de toilette not as expensive as pure perfume or eau de parfum and it lasts well, it’s a very popular fragrance type among women.  Moreover, it can be directly applied to the skin after bathing or shaving.

What is Eau de Parfum

Eau de parfum is a type of perfume that has a weaker concentration of fragrance than parfum, but a higher concentration than that of eau de toilette. It typically between 15 to 20% fragrance concentration and lasts for 4 or 5 hours.

Eau de parfum is actually derived from perfume. Although eau de perfume contains a higher concentration of alcohol, it’s actually better for sensitive skin than other fragrance types. However, eau de parfum is usually more expensive than eau de parfum.

Relationship Between Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum

Most scents will come in both eau de toilette and eau de parfum variants. If both fragrances are made with the same notes (notes are ingredients that make up a fragrance), then they would have a similar smell, but the smell is not exactly the same. For instance, a spritz of lavender eau de parfum would have a higher concentration of fragrance than an eau de toilette.

Difference Between Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum

Definition

Eau de toilette is a light and fresh fragrance that has a weaker concentration of fragrance than pure perfume. Eau de parfum is a type of perfume that has a weaker concentration of fragrance than parfum, but a higher concentration than that of eau de toilette.

Fragrance

Eau de parfum has a stronger smell than eau de toilette since eau de parfum has a higher concentration of fragrance oil.

Fragrance Concentration

While eau de toilette has between 4 to 15% pure essence while eau de parfum has between 15 to 20% pure essence.

Lasts upto

Moreover, eau de toilette lasts for about 3 hours while eau de parfum can last up to 5 hours. Therefore, eau de parfum lasts longer on the skin than eau de parfum.

Pricing

Generally, eau de toilettes are cheaper than eau de parfum.

Conclusion

Perfumes can be divided into different categories based on their perfume concentration. Eau de toilette and eau de parfum are two such categories. The main difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum is that eau de parfum has a stronger smell than eau de toilette since eau de parfum has a higher concentration of fragrance oil.

Reference:

1. Serras, Leanna. “What Is Eau De Toilette & How Does It Compare to Other Fragrances?” FragranceX, Aug. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Larme Eau de Toilette” By Eurotuber – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “N5 Chanel eau de parfum spray bottle, perfume, cosmetics, glass” (CC0) via Wallpaper Flare