Edt edp ?

[Fencer]

What do these stand for and how do they compage to parfum?

[jakespoppy]

Great question, and although I've read about this numerous times, I still had to look it up again.

Fragrances (they can all be called perfumes, but we usually don't) are generally a combination of fragrance oils (aromatic compounds typically natural essential oils and/or perfume oils) that give the fragrance its scent, and an odorless solvent to carry the fragrance oils (typically ethanol or a mix of water and ethanol). The percentage of fragrance oil in the mix determines whether the fragrance is a EdT or EdP.

- Perfume or Perfume Extrait has 15% to 40%, typically 20%.
- Eau de Parfum (EdP) has 15% to 30%, typically 15%
- Eau de Toilette (EdT) has 5 to 15%, typically 10%
- Eau de Cologne, or Cologne, has 3% to 5%

The combination of how much fragrance oil is used, as well as what the specific "recipe" is (which fragrance oils are used) will determine how long the fragrance lasts (longevity), and how far it projects away from you for others to smell it (sillage), because some scent notes are stonger than others at the same percentage.

So while the stronger fragrances, Perfume, are typically made to market to ladies, there are some that a made to market to men or to both (unisex), because there is nothing inheritantly masculine or feminine about a fragrance other than what we typically associate from memory as what scents smell like that either gender wears.

Also, it might be helpful to know that sometimes a fragrance that comes in multiple versions, like EdP and EdP, or in a regular version and an "intense" version, may be just a difference in the strength, or it may be a completely different fragrance with different fragrance oils.

Hope this helps.

[tehtimmeh]

Randy, you forgot to list aftershave...

[Schad]

very helpful. thanks!

Great question, and although I've read about this numerous times, I still had to look it up again.

Fragrances (they can all be called perfumes, but we usually don't) are generally a combination of fragrance oils (aromatic compounds typically natural essential oils and/or perfume oils) that give the fragrance its scent, and an odorless solvent to carry the fragrance oils (typically ethanol or a mix of water and ethanol). The percentage of fragrance oil in the mix determines whether the fragrance is a EdT or EdP.

- Perfume or Perfume Extrait has 15% to 40%, typically 20%.
- Eau de Parfum (EdP) has 15% to 30%, typically 15%
- Eau de Toilette (EdT) has 5 to 15%, typically 10%
- Eau de Cologne, or Cologne, has 3% to 5%

The combination of how much fragrance oil is used, as well as what the specific "recipe" is (which fragrance oils are used) will determine how long the fragrance lasts (longevity), and how far it projects away from you for others to smell it (sillage), because some scent notes are stonger than others at the same percentage.

So while the stronger fragrances, Perfume, are typically made to market to ladies, there are some that a made to market to men or to both (unisex), because there is nothing inheritantly masculine or feminine about a fragrance other than what we typically associate from memory as what scents smell like that either gender wears.

Also, it might be helpful to know that sometimes a fragrance that comes in multiple versions, like EdP and EdP, or in a regular version and an "intense" version, may be just a difference in the strength, or it may be a completely different fragrance with different fragrance oils.

Hope this helps.

[StylinLA]

All of this stuff is technically perfume. But men don't call it that because it sounds girly. We usually say fragrance or cologne.

You've got a great technical explanation above. If you're new to looking for a fragrance, the overwhelming majority of what's made and marketed to men is EdT strength. Probably about 95% of the standard fare in Sephora or a department store like Macy's is EdT strength.

Most of the EdP strength scents are in the "niche" category (but not solely). Niche scents are basically fragrances made by companies whose only product is fragrance or sometimes fragrance related (e.g. Creed, Parfumerie Generale, Penahaligons).

Most department stores sell "designer" scents from companies like Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Prada, etc). Companies that have a very broad range of products (clothes, purses, wallets, shoes).

If you hang around in here, you'll see both varieties discussed. Niche scents are much harder to find at the brick and mortar level (unless you live in Los Angeles and drive past the Scent Bar five days a week.)

Generally, EdP fragrances are a bit stronger, and may last longer on skin. But EdP does not mean "better than" EdT though they often are more expensive.

I have a large collection and have only one perfume "extrait." it is great stuff, but tougher to use IMO. Hard to get the balance right after years of using EdTs. Psychologically tough too, wrestling with the price per ml, even though you're supposed to use it in much smaller does than a usual EdT.

[jakespoppy]

Randy, you forgot to list aftershave...

Hehe....I actually considered including aftershaves, but then you get into whatever added ingredients they may have for conditioning the skin, and I thought that might be TMI.

[Go West Young Man]

Aftershave shouldn't be in the 'scent' category, it's all about skin-healthy ingredients to soothe and heal after a shave. Scent, if any, is a secondary consideration.

[jakespoppy]

Aftershave shouldn't be in the 'scent' category, it's all about skin-healthy ingredients to soothe and heal after a shave. Scent, if any, is a secondary consideration.

Agreed. I think of the scent in aftershaves the same as scent in shaving soaps and creams. Its just there for your enjoyment while you are getting the primary non-scent related benefit of the product.

[tehtimmeh]

Aftershave shouldn't be in the 'scent' category, it's all about skin-healthy ingredients to soothe and heal after a shave. Scent, if any, is a secondary consideration.

I don't disagree, but in the heirarchy of oils to alcohol ratio per the above list, A/S typically falls dead last on the list with the least amount of fragrance and highest amount of alcohol/solvent. It's not always the cheapest due to these other skin soothing/conditioning ingredients that are included, but some guys only rock the A/S because that's enough scent for them and opt out of an EdT, EdP, or whatever else they could use.

[The Chandos]

I don't disagree, but in the heirarchy of oils to alcohol ratio per the above list, A/S typically falls dead last on the list with the least amount of fragrance and highest amount of alcohol/solvent. It's not always the cheapest due to these other skin soothing/conditioning ingredients that are included, but some guys only rock the A/S because that's enough scent for them and opt out of an EdT, EdP, or whatever else they could use.

In addition, sometimes they are called "Aftershave Colognes." Because aftershaves typically contain 1-3% of the fragrance oils, some aftershaves marketed as AS Colognes give an indication that they are closer to 3% range and are likely to contain less or very little soothing ingredients.

[ShaveThis]

Great thread, thanks guys. Is this on the Frag wiki? I went there looking for something just like this and didn't see an explanation as such. Maybe I missed it. If it's not, would it be proper to put jakespoppy's reply there.

[jakespoppy]

Great thread, thanks guys. Is this on the Frag wiki? I went there looking for something just like this and didn't see an explanation as such. Maybe I missed it. If it's not, would it be proper to put jakespoppy's reply there.

Good suggestion. I'll see if we can do that, and will modify it to reflect aftershaves, too.

[ShaveThis]

Good suggestion. I'll see if we can do that, and will modify it to reflect aftershaves, too.

Thanks! It would be a great addition and thanks again for the info. I actually printed it out on a little card to have handy and not forget. This is primary info for us new comers.

EDIT: And thanks to Fencer for asking the question.

[Fencer]

Follow-on: Is there a EdT/EdP or cologne that is close to the Jickey from Booster?

[jakespoppy]

Follow-on: Is there a EdT/EdP or cologne that is close to the Jickey from Booster?

I've never smelled Booster Jicky aftershave. Hopefully someone who has will offer a suggestion. In the mean time, can you describe what it smells like to you?