What Are the Different Types of Perfume?

With such a huge variety of perfumes available, finding the perfect fragrance can be quite challenging. 

What is my signature scent? 

What type of perfume should I wear in winter? 

What fragrance lasts longer in summer? 

Which is the strongest perfume? 

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the right type of perfume. Get help from our guide on different types of perfume, their concentration & strengths.  

Let’s discuss it in detail.

 

The Role of Perfume Concentration 

Perfumes are more than just scents. They reflect our individuality and fashion sense, helping us discover the ideal fragrance that matches our taste and boosts our self-confidence.  

Concentration plays an important role in the longevity of a perfume. 

 

What Are The 4 Levels of Perfume? 

Here are different types of perfume based on their concentration.   

1- Perfume / Parfum 

This category contains the highest concentration of oils also known as "perfume extract". It comprises approximately 20% to 30% of the fragrance mixture, making it the priciest among all types because of the elevated oil concentrations.  

Prominent Features  

• It typically has a denser consistency. 
• It has more longevity and can stay active for as long as 24 hours.  
• This blend is ideal for individuals with sensitive skin, even though it contains a slightly high percentage of alcohol.   

2- Eau de Perfume / Eau de Parfum 

This perfume category has the highest concentration of oils (approximately 15% to 20% essential oils or "perfume extract" in the fragrance mixture). This offers a more affordable option compared to pure perfume.  

Prominent Features  

• The product contains slightly more alcohol content and water, but it still has a significant concentration of perfume oils.   
• It typically lasts for about 6 to 8 hours.  
• Despite having higher alcohol levels, this product is still suitable for individuals with sensitive skin types.  

3- Eau de Toilette 

This perfume category includes fragrances containing essential oils or "perfume extract" in concentrations ranging from 5% to 15%. 

Prominent Features  

• This formula is commonly found in spray bottles.  
• It is the most popular type of perfume among buyers, and they often mistake it for Eau de Parfum. 
• It is more affordable than Eau de Parfum and can last for 2 to 4 hours.  
• Because of the concentration of essential oils and higher alcohol content, the scent tends to fade away quickly.  

4- Eau de Cologne 

Eau de Cologne falls into the category of fragrances with the lightest concentration of oils typically ranging from 2% to 4% also known as "perfume extract." 

Prominent Features  

• Many people consider it a fragrance for men only. 
• It comes in large bottles commonly as you typically need more of it and have to apply it multiple times.   
• It lasts typically around 2 hours. 
• It is comparatively inexpensive. 

Read also: Fragrance Recommendations to Match Every Mood 

Wait, there’s more… here are two other types of perfumes:  

5- Eau Fraiche

This category is dedicated to fragrances with a dilution of essential oils. It typically contains concentrations of about 1% to 3% perfume extract. 

Prominent Features  

• The primary component used is water as 'Eau Fraiche' translates to water.  
• It lasts for not more than an hour. 
• It is commonly used to freshen yourself up.  

6- Fragrance Oils (Attar) 

Fragrance oils consist of scents made with an essential oil base without any alcohol or water content in the mixture.  

Prominent Features  

• The amounts of oils utilized for the scent component called "perfume" can differ.   
• Most perfume oils typically contain around 20% fragrance oils with the rest of the mixture composed of a carrier oil.   

What Does Perfume Concentration Mean? 

There are different types of perfumes out there, it’s a bit overwhelming to understand the levels of concentration and the strength of each perfume variant. 

When we talk about the concentration of a perfume, we're actually talking about its strength in terms of fragrance potency.  

The higher the concentration level, the purer the fragrance tends to be. This means it contains perfume oils and less alcohol compared to fragrances with lower concentrations. 

That’s why these fragrances tend to be more expensive.  

Moreover, the higher the concentration of perfume oils in a fragrance, the longer it tends to last on your skin (often referred to as its lasting power). 

How Perfume Concentration Influences Longevity? 

Be it a scent that mirrors our identity or a unique perfume set aside for memorable events, many individuals cherish how a lovely fragrance can evoke emotions within them.  

And perfume’s longevity highly depends on its concentration. For example, 

• Parfum (highest concentration and lasts for 24 hours) 
• Eau de Parfum (high concentration and lasts for 8 hours) 
• Eau de Toilette (low concentration and lasts for 4 hours) 
• Eau de Cologne (lowest concentration and lasts for 2 hours) 

Read also: How to Make Perfume Scent Last Longer 

 

The Importance of Skin Chemistry in Perfume Strength 

Fragrances often linger longer on moisturized skin than on dry skin. This is because the natural oils help trap the scent molecules and slow down their evaporation process.  

Additionally, external factors like humidity, temperature and weather conditions can also affect the longevity of a perfume’s scent. 

Also, your skin’s natural oils and pH level can impact the longevity of a fragrance.  

 

Concentration and Strength in Niche vs. Designer Perfumes 

Niche fragrances emphasize ingredients. These are typically more potent and enduring in scent as compared to designer perfumes. 

They are tailored for a group of individuals who value uniqueness and creativity.  

On the other hand, designer fragrances tend to be widely available and target a wide customer base. 

They are usually less intense, focusing more on market appeal and familiar fragrant formulas. While designer scents are trendy and easily accessible, niche fragrances provide a personalized experience with unique scents. 

Usually, the concentration and strength of niche and designer perfumes are more or less similar to minor variations.  

Read more: What Are Niche Fragrances and Niche Perfumes? 

 

How to Choose the Right Perfume 

Consider these factors when choosing the fragrance based on its concentration:  

• Different types of perfumes have different concentrations of essential oils such as Eau de Parfum (20%-30%) Eau de Toilette (5%-15%) and Eau de Cologne (2%-6%). The higher the concentration, the longer the scent lasts.  
• Select a perfume based on how it lasts on your skin throughout the day. For a fragrance with lasting effects from morning till night, go for Eau de Parum. If you prefer scents that wear off faster during the day, choose Eau de Toilette and Eau de Cologne.  
• Consider the occasion when choosing a fragrance. Opt for concentrated perfumes such as Eau de Parfum for events and Eau de Toilette for daily office wear.  
• Make sure to understand your skin type well. If you have dry skin, it tends to soak up scents quickly. So, concentrated perfumes might be a good choice for you. On the other hand, oily skin tends to retain scents longer; so, lighter perfumes can also work nicely in that case.  

 

FAQs 

 

What is the strongest perfume concentration? 

Perfume, also called parfum, is known for having the highest concentration among other fragrances available in the market today. It typically has 20% to 30% concertation of essential oils. These perfumes are renowned for their lasting scent that can linger for more than 12 hours as compared to other scents.  

How to know the strength of perfume? 

The strength of the perfume is written in small letters somewhere on the bottle. You can find words like Eau De Parfum, Eau De Toilette or Extrait De Parfum indicating the concentration of pure oil blended with alcohol (typically ethanol). This also determines the longevity of the scent.  

How to check perfume concentration? 

The perfume bottle usually displays the fragrance concentration below the perfume name indicating the concentration of the fragrance. 

What is EDP in perfume? 

Eau de Parfum (EDP) has a concentration of essential fragrance elements at around 15% to 20%. It is a top-quality perfume with a unique scent and lasting effect that's also more affordable for buyers. 

What is DPG in perfume? 

DPG (dipropylene glycol) is a chemical compound commonly used as a solvent in perfumes and fragrance oils. It is used to gradually spread their scent when mixed with carrier oils. It is totally safe for all types of skin.  

Does higher concentration always mean better quality? 

Having a higher concentration of perfume doesn't necessarily guarantee good quality. It just means there are more fragrance oils present to make the scent last longer. The true measure of quality lies in the choice of ingredients used and the level of craftsmanship used to create a perfect fragrance. Even a perfume with a low concentration could smell fantastic if it's skillfully created using top-notch materials.  

Read also: How to Create Your Signature Fragrance with ByShams Perfumes 

What Concentration Level of Perfumes Are Preferred in the UAE? 

In the UAE, people tend to prefer perfumes with high concentrations due to their longevity in hot climates.  

Eau de Parfum is one popular type of perfume in the UAE. It lasts for several hours and is ideal for daily use.  

Similarly, the Middle East, including UAE, gives much importance to attar (perfume oil), as they have all-time-permeating methods of concentrated perfume oil without alcohol, normally applied on the skin and lasting for a long time. 

If we talk about the current fragrance trends in the Arab world, people have shifted towards a new trend—signature scents.  

ByShams Perfume Collection offers signature scentsbased on your zodiac sign. Our collection is a harmonious blend of luxury, spirituality, astrology, energy, and well-being.  

Get your astrology-inspired perfume today!