Perfume, Eau De Toilette, and Cologne: What's the Difference?

Ever wonder what the difference is among perfume, eau de toilette, and cologne? Well, wonder no more! 

Fragrance products are composed of animal- and plant-based aromatic compounds or esters (or their man-made equivalents), dissolved in a combination of alcohol and water. The concentration of actual fragrance is what determines whether a product is a perfume, eau de toilette, cologne, etc.

Parfum—also called extract or extrait perfume—is the most concentrated or purest form of a fragrance product and is the longest-lasting on the skin. As such, it is also the most expensive. A true parfum (perfume) will contain 15 percent or more (typically up to 30 percent) of the essential fragrance.

Only slightly less potent (and expensive) than parfum, a eau de parfum typically contains anywhere from eight to 15 percent of the essential fragrance.

With about five to eight percent of the perfume essence, this is a light scent designed for shorter wear on the skin.

This is the feminine term used for women's eau de cologne concentrations, containing three percent or less of perfume oil.

A masculine scent composed of two to five percent of the essential scent.