What is the difference between EDT, EDP, EDC?

It’s an exciting day! You have just spent some time at the store smelling all of the wonderful perfume options and have found one that you love. As you pick up the box to purchase the perfume and notice it says “Eau De Toilette”... huh?

Scratching your head in wonder, you start to ask yourself… What does that mean? Taking a look at other perfume boxes you notice some say Eau De Toilette while others say Perfume, Eau De Parfum, Eau De Cologne. Even the perfume you originally loved comes in EDT and EDP.  It's all so confusing! HELP!

First, to understand what EDT, EDP, and EDC all means, you must understand what all perfume is made of.

We begin to understand the word “fragrance”. By definition it is “generally a unisex term for, well any smell that’s a certain amount of fragrance oil diluted in alcohol and water. Meaning that all perfume is made of three things, 1 – alcohol, 2 – water, 3 – essential oil. Now you know the facts… it all boils down to how much fragrance is actually in the bottle. So, depending on how long you want the smell to last or how strong, you must buy the right Perfume, EDC, EDP, or EDT to suit your needs. 

And why is there alcohol in perfume anyway you may ask- and it's not to give it a boozy note. The use of  alcohol in perfume helps break down perfume ingredients. It helps merge oils and aroma products together. Alcohol evaporates almost instantly, which makes it an ideal base for perfumes. Alcohol helps diffuse and lift perfumes notes. It also adds to the longevity of shelf life.

Beginning with EDT or Eau de Toilette — this type is generally the most common. Boasting a fragrance concentration of between 5% and 15%. It is often less expensive than eau de parfum and is one of the most popular types of fragrance available. EDT fragrance will normally last for two to three hours. Considered by some to be for daywear while eau de parfum is considered nightwear, the term eau de toilette comes from the French term “faire sa toilette” which means getting ready. So, back to our earlier speculations, yes and no… EDT is meant to be sprayed in the bathroom but not as an air freshener. It is a refreshing light perfume.

On to EDP or Eau de Parfum — this type is heavier than EDT but is lighter than Perfume, with a 15-20% concentration. All our fragrances at Valley Of Roses are of this type. It still has long lasting characteristics, from 6 to 10 hours and is less expensive than pure perfume. Suitable for everyday wear yet strong enough to last through evening meals and boozy nights out, this type is preferred by perfume lovers worldwide. Historically genderless, EDP is the best term used to describe a fragrance.

A well known term for perfume EDC or Eau de Cologne — Contrary to what you may think, this type is the lightest of them all. Containing a much lower concentration of fragrance than the above types of perfume, EDC generally has a 2% to 4% percent concentration of fragrance and a high concentration of alcohol. It is cheaper than other types of fragrance however the scent generally only lasts for up to two hours. EDC generally comes in bigger bottles and more of the fragrance needs to be used. Originally eau de cologne referred to a traditional recipe that used herb and citrus notes with little anchoring with base notes. So, not just for men, however its origin is based on a more masculine aroma.

Finally, the holy grail, Perfume itself — this type is the most expensive and the strongest fragrance available. It consists of a 20-30% concentration of perfume essence. This means that not only do you need to use less, but also that the fragrance lasts longer, typically for up to 10 hours, depending on skin type. Some people even say the scent lasts up to 24 hours, maybe even into the morning. A stronger smell, this concentration is generally advised for those with sensitive skin however those with sensitive noses may not enjoy how long it lasts.

And, just like that you now understand the difference between EDT vs EDP vs EDC. YAY!