What does the wording on a perfume bottle actually tell you? This glossary explains common labels so you can compare products without guessing which will suit you.
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Concentration, scent style and performance are different things. A label such as EDP tells you about the fragrance category; it does not tell you whether you will enjoy its smell.
Perfume, EDP, EDT and cologne
Perfume is an everyday word for fragrance. On a product label, parfum or extrait de parfum usually identifies a more concentrated version.
- Eau de Parfum (EDP): generally has a higher fragrance concentration than Eau de Toilette.
- Eau de Toilette (EDT): generally has a lower concentration than EDP, but can still smell noticeable or rich.
- Eau de Cologne (EDC): generally describes a lighter concentration. The word “cologne” is also used informally for fragrance, so check the full product label.
- Extrait de Parfum: usually a highly concentrated fragrance. It is not automatically the best choice for every person or occasion.
Concentration ranges differ between brands. EDP and EDT versions with the same name can also smell different. Read our EDP versus EDT guide for help comparing them.
What is attar?
Attar, also spelled ittar, is a traditional form of perfume oil, often offered in a small bottle with a dabber or roll-on. Check the individual formulation if being alcohol-free matters to you; do not assume every oil perfume has identical ingredients.
Follow the product's application instructions. A perfume oil made for wearing is different from a bottle of pure essential oil.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are concentrated aromatic extracts from plants, commonly obtained by distillation or, for citrus peels, mechanical expression. They can be ingredients in fragrances and other products, but are not interchangeable with a finished perfume.
Use with care
Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to skin. Follow the product's intended use and instructions. “Natural” does not mean a product cannot cause irritation or an allergic reaction.
Notes, projection and longevity
Notes describe scent impressions, such as rose, citrus or cedar. They are not a complete ingredient list.
Projection describes how far a fragrance seems to reach around you. Longevity describes how long you can notice it. A scent can stay close to the skin yet remain noticeable to its wearer.
A useful question before buying
Ask yourself: do I want a particular scent style, a more noticeable fragrance, or longer wear? Those are separate preferences. No concentration label guarantees a fixed number of hours.
Continue with how to choose your fragrance, or explore our Fragrance Advice guides.
Sources: Fragonard's concentration guide, Amouage's fragrance categories, Amouage's attars and Tisserand Institute's essential oil safety guidance.
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