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Perfumes are enigmatic. People love perfumes; it has aspirational value, and it signifies a higher standard of living. Many of them use it regularly and then some of them are self-proclaimed connoisseurs, like wine connoisseurs. However, most of them have limited understanding of how perfumes work, what are the technicalities, and what are differences between the several versions of Perfumes available in the market? The fact remains that, knowing about the basic technical aspects of perfumery, will elevate the scent experience manifold simply because you will be able to make an informed choice. We are of the belief that this education is necessary for a perfume user.
Think this will get too technical (and boring)? Worry not, because when we refer to imparting information on technicalities, we won’t get deep into the chemistry of perfumes; we want you to be an informed user not a seasoned nose! We promise to keep it simple.
One important aspect of Perfume which is important to understand as a user has do with perfume concentration. This single piece of understanding will change the way you select and buy perfumes. Knowing about perfume concentration levels is as simple, and as important as knowing whether you are drinking a small peg of Tequila or a large peg! In this blog, we will simply this concept of perfume concentration levels. Save this blog as your go to information piece – your fragrance concentration guide.
Understanding Perfume Concentration
The basic raw material for perfumers is fragrance oil. This oil is derived directly from the ingredients, like distillation of rose petals, or the oil is lab made using safe synthetics approved by International Fragrance Association (IFRA). No matter how its derived, this fragrance oil is the blend which emanates fragrance when applied. This is known concentrated perfume oil. If you know of attars, they are nothing but 100% perfume concentration, usually consisting of oil derived naturally (not lab made). But it’s difficult to create of blend of multiple scents in an attar (like mixing sandalwood oil with rose oil or jasmine oil). It also difficult to replicate certain notes – like aqua, green notes etc. The application of an attar is also a bit inconvenient as it comes in roll on of concentrated perfume oils.
Enter modern perfumery technique. Simply put, concentrated perfume oil is blended with soluble and fixative – mainly alcohol and other pre-approved chemicals. This enables blending multiple fragrance notes and eases the usage for the consumer – simply press the nozzle. But then the next question is how much oil to be put and how much soluble to be put? That’s the science which has evolved over a period. IFRA, the governing body has categorized diverse types of perfumes based on the perfume concentration levels held in each bottle. Let’s understand more about perfume concentration.
Types of Perfume Concentration
Every batch of perfume that is manufactured is classified as a certain type/ category of perfume based on IFRA guidelines. These guidelines are purely based on how much concentrated perfume oil is contained in the bottle. You will recall seeing (and even sometime struggling to pronounce) various labels on perfumes like Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette (EDT), Eau de parfum (EDP) and Parfum. These are the various categories of perfumes or types of perfumes. And to reiterate, the differentiation point between them is the perfume concentration levels.
Extrait De Parfum or Parfum
Extrait de parfum or Parfum, also known as pure perfume, has the highest fragrance concentration. They contain anywhere from 20% to 30% concentrated perfume oil. Of all categories, Parfum is classified as the longest lasting category. One application can last anywhere between 6 to 9 hrs-a solid performance. ‘Parfum’ is often confused with ‘Perfumes’ which is colloquially used to denote ALL types. But you are wiser now. Extrait De Parfums are most expensive of the lot as fragrances are most expensive raw material of perfumes.
For the mathematically inclined, a 100 ml Parfum bottles will contain 20 to 30 ml of fragrance concentration and consecutively less alcohol, which is also good.
All Dopamine Perfumes belong to Extrait De Parfum category because we add 25% perfume concentration to our perfumes.
Eau De Parfum (EDP)
After parfum, eau de parfum (EDP) has the next highest category in terms of perfume concentration levels. Eau de parfum has a concentrated perfume oil between 15% and 20%. EDP will last anywhere 4 to 6 hrs after one application. EDPs are currently most popular category in the world.
Eau De Toilette (EDT)
Eau de toilette (EDT) (pronounced as U DEY TWALE) has concentrated perfume oil between 5% and 15%. It is cheaper than eau de parfum and is one of the most popular types of fragrance available along with. Naturally, since its less concentrated than even EDPs, they will last between 2 to 4 hrs after one application.
Eau De Cologne
Eau de cologne has a far lower concentration of fragrance than the above types of perfume. EDC generally has a 2% to 5% percent concentration levels and high concentration of alcohol and other soluble. It won’t last more than two hours.
Choosing The Right Concentration For Your Needs
We know what you are thinking. If Extrait De Parfum is a higher category why is Eau De Parfum and Eau De Toilette more popular?
You must understand two factors here the evolution of modern-day perfumes and the impact of weather on the longevity. It’s the Western countries that have truly evolved in terms of designing fragrances and most of them have harmonious climate - less heat and humidity both of which impact the how long and how well the fragrance stays on your skin.
So how to choose? When you spray a perfume on your pulse point, it reacts with heat and release fragrance. Now, Perfume became popular through the European Continent, which is predominantly a winter climate, means it has less heat. So, an EDP works fine there.
However, if you look at India, it has a tropical climate hence an Extrait De Parfum with high perfume concentration levels will perform better here. With lifestyle and aspirations fast changing in counties like India which has a tropical climate, we will see more version of Extrait De Parfums coming out. And it makes sense too.
Best High Concentration Perfume To Buy From Dopamineshop
Perfume concentration was the most crucial point of differentiation for us at Dopamine Shop. We knew that since we are based in India, we will have to nullify the impact of weather with high concentration perfume. Hence every Dopamine Perfume has perfume concentration levels of 25%. Check out our below collections for more details.
Man in the Mirror – Extrait De Parfum collection for him
Magic of Oud – Unisex Oud Collection
Molecules of Mood – Unisex Fine Fragrance
Conclusion
Concentrated Perfume Oil also known as Fragrance Oil is the main actor or the hero in Perfumes. Solvents and Fixative are supporting actors. The quantity of perfume concentration in a perfume bottle is what defines the above category names (think about small and large pegs while drinking).
Based on the bracket of concentrated perfume oil, a Perfume becomes an Extrait or EDP or EDT. You don’t have to be Sherlock to figure out that the category that has the highest concentration perfume will last the longest and will also be expensive. Now, some might associate that high concentration with a strong smell but that’s far from the truth. We can have a mild pleasing fragrance, but it will last long because of the higher concentration perfume in the bottle.
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