The Difference Between Perfume, Cologne, and Eau de Toilette

Photo: Mzaals (Shutterstock)

If you’ve ever been stuck in an airport with a duty free shop or explored the makeup and beauty section of a department store, chances are you’ve browsed some fragrances. And if you were confused, you’re not alone—fragrances come in a lot of forms, including perfume, cologne, and eau de toilette. So what’s the difference?

Basically, all fragrances are largely the same, but they’re given a name based on their concentration of oil in alcohol and water. Here’s how to figure out which one is right for you.

The difference is the concentration (and lasting power)

This graphic, from Real Men Real Style, explains that “fragrance” is generally a unisex term for, well, any smelly substance made up of a certain amount of fragrance oil diluted in alcohol and water. Depending on the concentration, the result gets a different name. Here’s the rundown:

Eau fraiche – The most diluted version of fragrance, usually with one to three percent perfume oil in alcohol and water. Usually lasts for less than an hour.Cologne (eau de cologne) – Oldest term for perfume, used in North America for masculine scents. Light, fresh and fruity, typically composed of two to four percent perfume oils in alcohol and water. Tend to be used in fragrances for younger people. Usually lasts for about two hours.Toilette (eau de toilette) – A light spray composition with five to 15 percent pure perfume essence dissolved in alcohol. Usually lasts for about three hours.Perfume (eau de parfum) – Historically genderless, used to describe both men’s and women’s fragrances. The best term used to describe a fragrance. Contains 15 – 20 percent pure perfume essence and lasts for about five to eight hours.Perfume – A corruption of the Latin phrase per fumum (through smoke). The most concentrated and expensive of all fragrance options. Slightly oilier, perfume, or parfum, is composed of 20 to 30 percent pure perfume essence. A single application of perfume can last up to 24 hours.

That’s all useful to know, and can certainly help you make a better shopping decision if you’re looking for something to wear that’s a little lighter and won’t stick as long during those hot summer days, or something you want to linger just a touch (or a lot) longer.

The full introduction to fragrance also makes a few suggestions and explains some of the “notes” you’ll smell when you’re shopping for one, and outlines how long various types of scents last on your skin. It also dives into how fragrances are priced, and why some of them are sold at bargain-basement prices while others seem insanely expensive. Hit the link if you want to learn more. Despite the URL, which targets men, the guide includes information useful to everyone.

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This story was originally published in February 2016 and was updated on October 29, 2021.

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