Eau de Toilette
Eau de toilette explained: how EDT differs from eau de parfum, what concentration labels leave out, and what to compare when trying versions of a fragrance.
Updated
Eau de toilette, or EDT, is a fragrance concentration designation. It is generally positioned below eau de parfum within a product range. That does not make every EDT faint, short-lived or suitable for the same setting.
The EDT and EDP of a fragrance can be different interpretations. A brighter opening, a sweeter drydown or a different emphasis on flowers and woods may matter more to your choice than the concentration. Compare the actual products rather than imagining that one is simply diluted.
To judge an EDT, let the opening settle and check it again later. Record whether you can smell it close to your skin and whether someone nearby can notice it. Those observations distinguish how long it lasts from how far it reaches.
- Eau de toilette (EDT)
- A concentration designation usually positioned below eau de parfum. An EDT can have a distinct formula and should be sampled in its own right.
- Eau de parfum (EDP)
- A concentration designation usually positioned above eau de toilette within a range. The exact percentage and composition depend on the product.
- Parfum / extrait de parfum
- Designations used for concentrated versions. They do not guarantee greater projection or a particular number of hours.
- Eau de cologne (EDC)
- A designation commonly associated with a low concentration. Cologne also names a citrus-aromatic style and, in everyday speech, can mean a men’s fragrance.
- Concentration
- The proportion of fragrance concentrate in the finished product. It does not specify a wear time, scent profile or projection distance.