Perfume Concentrations Explained: Eau Fraîche, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, and Extrait de Parfum

When exploring fragrances, you may notice terms such as eau fraîche, eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and extrait de parfum printed on perfume bottles. These names refer to the concentration of fragrance oils used in the formula.

Perfume concentration affects how a fragrance smells, how long it lasts, and how strongly it projects from the skin. Generally, the higher the percentage of fragrance oil, the longer the scent tends to last.

Understanding these differences can help you choose a perfume that matches your preferences for longevity and intensity.

Eau Fraîche (1–3% Fragrance Oil)

Eau fraîche is the lightest fragrance concentration. It typically contains around 1–3% fragrance oils, with the rest made up primarily of water and alcohol.

Because of this low concentration, eau fraîche scents are extremely light and refreshing. They are often built around citrus, green, or aquatic notes and are designed to be subtle rather than long-lasting.

Most eau fraîche fragrances last about 1–2 hours before fading.

Eau de Toilette (5–10% Fragrance Oil)

Eau de toilette (EDT) contains a higher concentration of fragrance oils, usually around 5–10%.

This makes the scent more noticeable while still remaining light and easy to wear. Eau de toilette fragrances are commonly used for daytime scents because they feel fresh without being overpowering.

On average, eau de toilette fragrances last around 3–5 hours depending on the composition and the wearer’s skin chemistry.

Eau de Parfum (15–20% Fragrance Oil)

Eau de parfum (EDP) is one of the most popular perfume concentrations today. These fragrances typically contain 15–20% fragrance oils, which allows them to develop more depth and last longer than eau de toilette.

Because of the higher concentration, eau de parfum fragrances often reveal more of the heart and base notes of a composition.

Most eau de parfum scents last 6–8 hours or longer on the skin.

Extrait de Parfum (20–40% Fragrance Oil)

Extrait de parfum is one of the most concentrated forms of perfume available. These fragrances usually contain 20–40% fragrance oils, making them richer and longer-lasting than most other perfume types.

Due to the higher concentration, extrait fragrances tend to develop slowly and reveal deeper layers of the scent over time. They often emphasize base notes such as woods, amber, musk, and oud.

Extrait perfumes can last 8–12 hours or more, depending on the composition.

Fragrance Concentration at NEEX

At NEEX, our fragrances are formulated with extrait-level oil (40%) concentrations as a standard, allowing the scents to develop depth, richness, and impressive longevity on the skin.

However, fragrance strength is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Some people enjoy lighter scents for everyday wear, while others prefer more intense fragrances.

For that reason, NEEX fragrances can also be customized if you prefer a lighter concentration, allowing you to adjust the strength of the perfume while keeping the character of the scent itself.

This flexibility allows each fragrance to be tailored to how you personally enjoy wearing perfume.