Extrait, eau de parfum, eau de toilette: what's the difference?
La Versateam
Extrait, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de Cologne… The words on the labels change, and so do the prices. But what actually changes inside the bottle? Mainly one thing: the concentration. Here's the lowdown, no jargon.
What is concentration?
A perfume is a mix of two things: a perfume concentrate (the fragrant materials, both natural and synthetic) and a base that carries it (usually alcohol, or oil).
Concentration is the share of concentrate in the bottle. The higher it is, the richer and more powerful the perfume is on your skin.
Concentrations, from lightest to richest
| Name | Typical concentration | On the skin |
|---|---|---|
| Eau de Cologne | 2 to 5% | Very light, fresh, fades fast |
| Eau de toilette (EDT) | 5 to 15% | Light, best for daytime |
| Eau de parfum (EDP) | 15 to 20% | Rounder, longer-lasting |
| Extrait de parfum | 20 to 40% | The richest and most intense |
A little secret: these ranges are conventions, not law. There's no official standard, and each house sets its own dosages. That's why it's worth checking the percentage when it's listed. At Versatile, it's written on every product page.
Extrait de parfum: the most concentrated form
Extrait is the rarest and most intense format. Long reserved for a handful of outrageously priced luxury bottles, it became our starting point. Our roll-on extraits are concentrated at 30 to 38%, without a drop of alcohol. Our spray extraits, at 25%.
Why extrait? Because a highly concentrated perfume doesn't need a big bottle. A few drops are enough. That's what lets us offer pocket-size formats that last for months. Small but mighty.
More concentrated = stronger?
Not necessarily. Concentration affects richness and longevity, but the way a perfume diffuses also depends on its base:
- With alcohol, the perfume evaporates quickly and projects a trail around you.
- With oil, it stays close to the skin and releases slowly.
So an oil-based extrait can be highly concentrated and still subtle. We go into detail in Roll-on or spray: what's the difference? and Alcohol-free perfume: why it changes everything.
More concentrated = more expensive?
Often, in traditional luxury. But the price of a perfume mostly depends on the quality of its materials, its marketing and… its cap. At Versatile, we went the other way: minimal packaging, no ads starring celebrities, and rich formulas, between €300 and €600 per kilo of concentrate. Our roll-on extraits cost €45 or €55, our eaux de parfum €39. Expensive automatically means quality, right? We talk about it in No more clichés in perfumery.
Which concentration should you choose?
- You want intensity and longevity: a roll-on extrait de parfum, like Gueule de Bois or Accrodisiaque.
- You prefer a lighter, fruitier perfume: an eau de parfum concentrated at 20%, like Bonne Poire.
- You want sillage: a spray extrait at 25%, like It's a Match-a.
How can you tell our ranges apart at a glance?
With us, it's all there on the bottle. The glass tells you the range: opaque for an extrait, clear for an eau de parfum. The cap tells you the format: cylinder for a roll-on, sphere for a spray.
FAQ
What's the difference between eau de parfum and eau de toilette?
Concentration: generally 15 to 20% for an eau de parfum, 5 to 15% for an eau de toilette. So eau de parfum is richer and lasts longer.
What is an extrait de parfum?
It's the most concentrated form of a perfume, usually between 20 and 40%. At Versatile, our roll-on extraits range from 30 to 38%.
Does an extrait last longer?
Yes, generally. More fragrant material means more longevity on the skin. The base (oil or alcohol) then changes how it diffuses.
