Difference between eau de toilette, perfume and cologne, know them!

You went to the perfume store, found a captivating scent, and without paying attention to the fragrance’s concentration level, you paid the bill and rushed home. The scent vanished into thin air after only a few hours.

Fragrances fall under many categories based on their concentration level. And finding the right concentration is just as important as choosing the perfect signature scent (check the best perfumes for ladies). To light and the fragrance will instantly fade away; too strong, and it will become overwhelming, choking you and the ones around you. 

Essential oils, natural absolutes, and synthetic substances are mixed in varying ratios and then diluted with alcohol to compose a stable concentrate for a perfume. The alcohol controls the concentration and determines how long the scent will last (check the top rated long lasting perfumes for her). 

So, depending on the concentrates, fragrances are classified into Eau De Toilette, Eau De Cologne, and Perfume. 

We will be discussing these common categories so that the next time you are shopping for a fragrance, you will have a better idea of what might work for you.

Eau De Toilette

The term Eau De Toilette means “Faire Sa Toilette,” which means getting ready. It is ideally preferred for daytime wear since it has lighter notes that remain soft on the skin. 

Eau De Toilette is cheaper than perfumes and has a lower oil concentration, usually between 5 to 15%. With this concentration level, they only last for about three to four hours on the skin. So, if you are picking an Eau De Toilette for your daily wear, go for a pocket-size container that can be reapplied to keep you refreshed all the time.

Colognes

Cologne is an umbrella term used in North America to describe masculine scents. Colognes have a much lower fragrance concentration of about 2-4%, but they have a higher alcohol concentration. Generally, a cologne fragrance can last for about one to two hours (check the best long lasting colognes). 

Colognes come in bigger bottles and are used in large quantities to keep the scent fresh on your skin. They have herbs and citrus in between their notes and attract the younger generation. Colognes are short-lived and will not last for the entire day. They are light and can quickly freshen you up.

Perfumes

Perfumes are the most luxurious and expensive option in the fragrance industry (check the best selling luxury perfumes for women). They have the highest fragrance concentration making them stronger. Perfumes are slightly oilier and are composed of about 20-30 % of pure perfume essence. Compared to Eau De Toilette and Colognes, perfumes tend to last longer at times for the entire day. They are also reliable for every occasion as they contain pure natural ingredients and have better longevity.

Eau De Toilette Vs Cologne Vs Perfume:

Difference In Longevity

The oil and alcohol concentration difference gives Eau De Toilette, Cologne, and Perfume varying longevity.

Colognes are less concentrated and produce a refreshing, light scent that lasts only a few hours. Compared to colognes, Eau De Toilette has a slightly higher concentration of oil and alcohol. It allows an Eau De Toilette to last longer than a cologne. On the other hand, perfume has the highest concentration of odorous materials. Since they have the purest raw material form, they will stay stronger on the skin for the first few hours. Some stronger perfumes can also last for more than 7 – 8 hours.

The Way Of Application 

Having a difference in the fragrance concentration also forces you to apply your favorite scent differently. 

Eau De Toilette has clear notes, and so they need to be reapplied to keep the scent fresh on your skin. Colognes are similar to Eau De Toilette in this aspect. They also need to be re-applied during the day. On the other hand, Perfumes are distinct from both the Eau De Toilette and colognes. The highly concentrated perfume extracts have higher intensity and can last for a much longer duration. Perfumes are used in smaller quantities, and you only have a few drops to keep you refreshed and lively for the entire day.

Difference In Pricing

Eau De Toilette, Colognes, and Perfumes also differ in pricing mainly because they have varying numbers of raw ingredients within their composition.

Raw materials in their purest form are expensive, and fragrances with a greater concentration of natural ingredients tend to be pricier. Eau De Toilette is generally cheaper as they have fewer natural ingredients, then comes colognes, and finally, perfumes with higher concentrations are more expensive than the other two (check the most expensive fragrances in the world).

What is the difference between a perfume and a toilette spray?

Perfume and Toilette spray are two different sorts of fragrances. The whole difference lies in the ingredients and the oil concentration being used.

Perfumes, for instance, have a higher ratio of fresh, natural elements, making them more subtle and attractive. The increased oil concentration also dramatically impacts the notes, forcing them to become more pronounced. You will find fully developed notes accompanied by intense and heavier juices in a high-quality perfume. 

On the other hand, Eau De Toilette has softer and weaker notes. They have a lesser concentration of natural oil and raw ingredients, making them simple and hardly noticeable. Unlike perfumes, they need to be sprayed repeatedly to force them to stay on your skin.

Wrapping It Up

Colognes and Eau De Toilette are similar, but perfumes are versatile. The three famously used fragrance categories may use the variation of the same ingredients making them completely different from one another. Take, for instance, the black currant note. For an Eau De Toilette and cologne composition, you might have to use a blackcurrant sorbet, but to create a high-end perfume having an intense blackcurrant note, one will use blackcurrant liqueur.

So, before you head out to buy a fragrance, we recommend doing your homework. Learn the basics about fragrances and colognes. Besides considering the type of perfume you need for your everyday wear, consider the notes to understand the scent produced at the end.