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The world of
fragrance has its own extensive vocabulary, but there’s no
need for confusion. The categories simply have to do with the
concentration of the ingredients in the fragrance.
Scented products:
Lotions, creams, powders, body splashes, aftershaves, soaps,
and other scented cosmetic products contain variable (though
usually very small) amounts of fragrance—often less than 3%.
Eau de cologne:
Eau de cologne is a solution of about 3% perfume
compound in an alcohol-water base. It’s invariably much
lighter than a concentrated perfume. Men’s cologne,
typically with 5% to 8% perfume compound, is more
concentrated than women’s and is similar to the strength of
eau de toilette (see below).
Eau de toilette:
Eau de toilette is an alcohol- or water-based perfume
solution containing 3% to 8% perfume compound. Less
concentrated than eau de parfum, it’s often used to create a
lighter version of a fragrance.
Eau de parfum:
Eau de parfum is an alcoholic perfume solution
containing 10% to 15% perfume compound.
Perfume:
Perfume is the most highly concentrated form of
fragrance, containing between 20% and 50% perfume compound.
The strongest and the longest-lasting option, it’s also the
most expensive.
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