Concentration, explained
Fragrance concentration is how much perfume material is in the finished perfume; the rest is perfumer's alcohol.
Names such as Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum and Extrait de Parfum are trade conventions, not legal definitions: no law or international standard fixes a percentage to any of them, so the same name can mean different strengths at different houses. The ranges usually quoted in perfumery are roughly 5 to 15% for Eau de Toilette, 15 to 20% for Eau de Parfum, and 20 to 40% for Parfum or Extrait.
Our three strengths
- Eau de Parfum, 20% perfume oil: our lightest.
- Parfum, 30%: in between.
- Extrait, 40%: our richest, at the top of the usual range.
Every scent is made in all three strengths, at one price. Discovery set vials are always made at Extrait (40%).
What concentration does and does not tell you
A higher concentration gives a richer scent that tends to last longer on the skin, but it is not a guarantee. How long a perfume lasts depends just as much on its notes: fresh citrus notes evaporate quickly at any strength, while woods, ambers, musks and ouds linger. Projection, how far a scent radiates from you, is different again; richer concentrations often sit closer to the skin.
Your skin, the climate and how much you apply all play a part too. Start with one or two sprays and add more if you want to.