# EDT vs EDP vs Parfum vs Extrait de Parfum: What's the Difference?

Source: https://grovenoir.com/journal/perfume-concentrations-explained/

> EDT, EDP, parfum and extrait de parfum compared: oil concentration, longevity, projection and which one to buy, explained simply.

By Grove Noir · November 14, 2026

The words on a fragrance bottle (eau de toilette, eau de parfum, parfum, extrait) tell you how much perfume oil is inside. That one number shapes how long a scent lasts, how far it travels and how it changes on your skin.

| Type | Perfume oil | Typical longevity | Projection | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Eau de Cologne (EDC) | 2–5% | 1–2 hours | Light | A quick refresh |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | 5–15% | 3–5 hours | Bright, airy | Daytime, warm weather |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | 15–20% | 5–8 hours | Moderate to strong | Everyday signature |
| Parfum / Extrait de Parfum | 20–40% | 8–12+ hours | Close, intimate | Evenings, cold weather, occasions |

Ranges are typical industry figures; each house sets its own concentrations, and longevity varies with skin and climate.

## EDP vs EDT

An eau de toilette is lighter and more alcohol-forward. It opens brightly, projects well for the first hour and fades within a few hours, which makes it pleasant in summer and easy to wear to work. An eau de parfum carries more oil, so the heart and base notes stay longer and the scent feels fuller. If you only own one bottle for daily wear, an EDP is the usual choice.

## Parfum vs eau de parfum

Parfum (often labelled _extrait_ or _pure parfum_) carries the most oil and the least alcohol. Counter-intuitively, that often makes it **quieter**: with less alcohol to lift the molecules into the air, the fragrance sits closer to the skin and unfolds more slowly. What you gain is depth and staying power.

## Extrait vs eau de parfum: what actually changes

- **Longevity.** Extraits commonly last 8–12+ hours versus 5–8 for an EDP.
- **Projection.** Extraits create a smaller, more intimate scent bubble, noticed at arm's length rather than across the room.
- **Texture.** Many extraits feel richer and slightly oilier, and the drydown is smoother.
- **Composition.** Some houses re-balance the formula for extrait strength, so an extrait can smell genuinely different from its EDP sibling, not just stronger.

## Is extrait de parfum worth it?

If you want a fragrance that lasts from evening into night without re-spraying, and you prefer a scent that's discovered rather than broadcast, an extrait is worth the higher price per bottle. You'll also use fewer sprays: two or three are usually enough.

## How to wear an extrait

Apply to warm, moisturised skin at the neck and chest. Don't rub. Woody and resinous extraits are especially tenacious, because cedar, sandalwood, vetiver and amber are among the longest-lasting materials in perfumery.

## Frequently asked

### Is extrait de parfum stronger than eau de parfum?

It is more concentrated and longer-lasting, but it usually projects less. Extraits wear closer to the skin.

### How long does extrait de parfum last?

Typically 8 to 12+ hours on skin, depending on the composition, your skin and the climate.

### Is parfum the same as extrait de parfum?

Usually, yes. Parfum, pure parfum, perfume extract and extrait de parfum all describe the highest-concentration format, though brands use the names loosely.

Cèdre Nocturne, our woody extrait de parfum

Atlas cedar and creamy sandalwood, built to last from dusk well into the night.

[Discover Cèdre Nocturne](https://grovenoir.com/cedre-nocturne-extrait-de-parfum/)