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EDP vs EDT: What’s the Difference Between Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette?
The letters on a perfume bottle tell you how much fragrance oil is inside. Here is what EDP, EDT, Parfum and Cologne mean, roughly how long each one lasts, and how to choose the right one for you.
What does EDP mean?
EDP stands for Eau de Parfum. It usually holds about 15 to 20% fragrance oil, with the rest mostly alcohol. That makes it richer and longer lasting than an Eau de Toilette, so you need fewer sprays and fewer top-ups through the day.
Prefer to smell before you choose? Every Somuti scent is on testers at our shop on Song Wat Road, Bangkok, open daily 11:00 to 19:00. Find the shop.
What does EDT mean?
EDT stands for Eau de Toilette. It is lighter, usually about 5 to 15% fragrance oil. An EDT opens bright and fresh, and typically lasts around 2 to 4 hours on skin. Many people like it for daytime, the office, or a quick spray before going out.
The types of perfume, from strongest to lightest
| Type | Fragrance oil | Typical wear |
|---|---|---|
| Parfum / Extrait de Parfum | about 15 to 30% | the longest, often 6 to 8 hours |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | about 15 to 20% | longer than EDT |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | about 5 to 15% | around 2 to 4 hours |
| Eau de Cologne (EDC) | about 2 to 3% | around 2 hours |
| Eau Fraîche, body mist | 3% or less | short, a light refresh |
These numbers are a guide, not a rule. There is no fixed legal definition, and every perfume house sets its own strength, so one brand’s EDT can be stronger than another brand’s EDP.
EDP vs EDT: which lasts longer?
In most cases the EDP, because more fragrance oil means more scent left on your skin as the alcohol evaporates. But concentration is only part of it. Woody, ambery and musky notes cling longer than citrus and fresh notes, whatever the label says. Heat, humidity and your own skin matter too. In a hot city like Bangkok, scent evaporates faster, so concentration counts for more. Read how to make perfume last in hot weather.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose an EDT if you like a light scent, want something easy for daytime, or enjoy spraying again during the day.
- Choose an EDP if you want your scent to stay with you from morning to evening, or you prefer a deeper, fuller trail.
- Choose a Parfum if you want the most intense version of a scent and only need a little.
The best way to know is to try the scent on your own skin and check it again a few hours later.
What does “Fragrance (Parfum)” mean on an ingredient list?
On cosmetics and body care, you will often see one word, “Fragrance” or “Parfum”, in the ingredient list. It stands for the whole scent blend, which can be a complex mix of natural and synthetic materials. Labelling rules let brands list it as one word instead of naming every part of the formula.
Somuti Eau de Parfum
Every Somuti perfume is an Eau de Parfum with 20% fragrance oil, meticulously made in Thailand. It lasts around 6 to 8 hours, depending on the weather and your skin. Each bottle is 50ml, the size most airlines let you carry in your cabin bag. To try several scents first, the Discovery Set holds four in 3ml vials.
Comparing Thai brands? Read our guide to Thai perfume brands and where to smell them in Bangkok.
Every scent is on testers at our shop, 981/5 Song Wat Road, open daily 11:00 to 19:00. Plan your visit.
Sources: Wikipedia, Perfume (concentration and wear time) · Marie Claire UK · US FDA, Fragrances in Cosmetics
