Have you ever noticed those abbreviations on perfume bottles: EDT, EDP? They're not just decorative. They mean something. And that something completely changes your olfactory experience, your wallet, and how long your scent will last throughout the day.
It's not marketing. It's chemistry. But chemistry smells good.
The difference lies in the concentration (and everything else)
EDT stands for Eau de Toilette. EDP stands for Eau de Parfum. Both are fragrances, but with distinct personalities. The key difference lies in how much pure aromatic essence is dissolved in alcohol.
|
Eau de Toilette |
Eau de Parfum |
|
|
Concentration |
5-15% essence |
15-20% essence |
|
Longevity on skin |
2-4 hours |
6-8 hours |
|
Intensity |
Light, fresh |
Medium-high, immersive |
|
Price |
More accessible |
Major investment |
|
Character |
Versatile, subtle |
Defining, persistent |
Higher concentration of essence = longer on your skin = more complex aroma. It's perfumed mathematics.
Eau de Toilette: freshness without compromises
Eau de Toilette is the perfume that doesn't shout. It whispers. It contains between 5% and 15% pure essence mixed with alcohol (usually between 90% and 96%). This makes it a light, transparent fragrance that evaporates fairly quickly.
And is that a bad thing? Not at all. That's precisely its charm.
An EDT is perfect when you're looking for versatility. You want to change your scent depending on your mood, the season, or your plans for the day. It allows you to experiment without commitment. It's the perfume for when you "feel like trying something new" without breaking the bank.
Citrus, floral, fresh, and green notes tend to dominate. Think bergamot, lemon, jasmine, green tea. These fragrances work especially well in summer, when the heat amplifies any scent and the last thing you want is to be overwhelming on the subway. For example, Sailing Day by Maison Margiela is an aquatic eau de toilette that captures that feeling of a sea breeze without being overwhelming.
The fragrance lasts around 2-4 hours. This means you'll probably need to reapply if you have a long day. But here's the trick: you can. Carrying an EDT in your bag and spritzing on it mid-afternoon is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it's part of their philosophy.
Are you into Eau de Toilette if…?
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You change your fragrance like you change your mood.
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You prefer subtle aromas that are not overpowering
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You like freshness and lightness
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Are you looking for a perfume for everyday wear?
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You enjoy reapplying throughout the day
Eau de Parfum: when you want to leave a lasting impression
Eau de Parfum doesn't do things by halves. It contains between 15% and 20% aromatic essence, making it a fragrance with presence. When you enter a room wearing a well-chosen EDP, it's noticeable. But not overpowering, if you know how to apply it.
This higher concentration also means the fragrance unfolds on your skin in a more complex way. The top notes (the first you perceive) give way to the heart notes (the body of the perfume) and finally to the base notes (what lingers). It's an olfactory experience in three acts.
Its longevity is its strongest point: between 6 and 8 hours, sometimes longer if your skin absorbs perfume well. You apply it in the morning and arrive at dinner still smelling wonderful. It's the perfect "put it on and forget it" fragrance.
EDPs are typically built with denser, warmer notes. This is where woods, spices, amber, and powerful white flowers like jasmine sambac or ylang-ylang come into play. These are fragrances that improve with cold weather, enveloping your skin as temperatures drop. Shifumi by Maison Matine is a good example: an eau de parfum with a 20% concentration that combines citrus with magnolia and a woody base note.
The price is higher, yes. But you're buying concentration. You need less for the same effect. One bottle lasts longer than you'd think.
Are you into Eau de Parfum if...?
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You're looking for a scent with a defined personality.
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You want your fragrance to last all day
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You prefer to invest in fewer but higher-quality bottles
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You like your perfume to be part of your personal signature
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You appreciate olfactory complexity
Which one to choose? Three key questions
1. Are you looking for freshness or intensity?
If you want something light, almost transparent, that accompanies you without constantly making itself known: Eau de Toilette. When The Rain Stops by Maison Margiela captures that perfect balance: aquatic freshness with rose, weightless. If you're looking for a fragrance that evolves, that has layers, that makes a statement: Eau de Parfum. Virēre by Aesop is a green and woody eau de parfum that changes on your skin throughout the day.
2. Day-to-day or special moments?
For the office, the gym, your morning coffee: Eau de Toilette. Officina delle Essenze's Puro Lino EDT smells like clean laundry and is perfect for everyday wear. For dinner, the theater, or that important meeting: Eau de Parfum. Un jour sans fin by Maison Matine is a gourmand and floral EDP that definitely makes a statement. Although, honestly, rules are meant to be broken. If you want to wear a powerful EDP to the pool, go for it. Your fragrance, your rules.
3. Do you prefer variety or loyalty?
If you're someone who has a perfume collection and likes to rotate your fragrances, EDTs allow you to have more bottles without breaking the bank. The Maison Margiela Replica collection offers several eau de toilettes, such as On A Date (fruity cypress) or Lazy Sunday Morning (floral musk) so you can change it up depending on the day. If you prefer to find "your perfume" and stick with it: invest in a good EDP. Marrakech Intense by Aesop is one of those perfumes that becomes your signature scent. It will be your second skin.
The truth is, there are no wrong choices. Only choices that are more or less aligned with your way of experiencing perfume. At Laconicum you'll find both EDTs and EDPs from brands that understand perfumery is about exploration, curiosity, and finding that scent that defines you or that other one that surprises you. In fact, some fragrances like Puro Talco are available in both concentrations: you can choose between eau de parfum if you are looking for more intensity or eau de toilette for a lighter version of the same scent.
Ultimately, the best fragrance is the one that makes you feel good. Whether it's an Eau de Toilette you change every week or an Eau de Parfum that becomes your signature scent for years.
The acronyms matter. But what really matters is how you feel when you smell it.
By: Anabel Vázquez
co-founder of Laconicum
