There Are 5 Different Types of Fragrances—How to Choose Your Perfect Match

When I think about fragrance, I typically focus on the fragrance notes and the fragrance family that the scent lives in. Is it woody? Ambery? Floral? Fresh? What are the top notes? The heart? The base?

These are often the only considerations we think about when selecting a fragrance. There is, however, one major piece of the puzzle that should also be top of mind when picking a perfume: what type of fragrance it is. There are five different types of fragrance, and they matter in terms of how strong a scent is, how long it lasts, and how complex it is. Keep reading to learn all about the different types of fragrances and find which one is right for you.

Parfum

Parfum, also known as extrait de parfum, is the purest and most potent form of perfume. It has the highest fragrance concentration at 20 to 30% and also has a lower alcohol content than most other perfumes. Because of its high fragrance oil concentration, parfums tend to be the most expensive form of perfume, but they also last the longest and are able to boast more complexity. These scents can last all day, and you’re able to smell the full range of top notes, middle notes, and base notes while you wear them. Since they have a relatively low alcohol concentration, they’re often recommended for those with sensitive skin.

Eau de Parfum

Eau de Parfum is one of the most common perfumes. Many of your favorite everyday scents probably fit squarely into the eau de parfum category, as they’re extremely versatile and long-wearing, though will last a bit less long than parfums. These scents have a fragrance concentration of 15 to 20%, and they also offer the full scope of scent notes, though the middle scent will be more prominent, as the top notes typically fade quickly.

Eau de Toilette

Eau de toilettes are also very popular, with a scent concentration between 5 and 15%. These typically have a higher alcohol concentration, and they last for 4–6 hours on the skin. Top notes are prominent in eau de toilettes, and these scents tend to be less complex than parfums or eau de parfums.

Eau de Cologne

You’ve definitely heard of (and probably used) and eau de cologne. These fragrances don’t last long at all—typically just a couple of hours due to their low fragrance composition (2 to 5%)—but they have a strong top note and are easy to reapply as needed. People with sensitive skin should steer clear of these, as they have a higher alcohol concentration than other scents. They tend to be quite a bit cheaper, which makes them an appealing choice for daily wear. 

Eau fraiche

Eau fraiche is less common than some of the other fragrance types, but it’s unique in its own right due to the fact that it’s made with water rather than alcohol. These fragrances are soft and subtle, with a fragrance oil concentration of just 1 to 3%. Eau fraiche fragrances are perfect for people with sensitive skin and those who prefer to forgo strong scents. They’re also affordable, which makes them ideal for a boost of fragrance on a budget. 

Next: 19 Perfumes That Smell Like Fresh Laundry (in the Best Way Possible)

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Associate Beauty Editor

Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.