EDC, EDT, EDP, Parfum, Extrait : Ce que les Lettres Signifient

The five concentrations

Type	% Aromatic Oil	Typical Wear	Best For
Eau de Cologne (EDC)	2–5%	2–3 h	Hot weather, post-shower refresh
Eau de Toilette (EDT)	5–15%	4–6 h	Daytime office, casual outings
Eau de Parfum (EDP)	15–20%	6–10 h	The standard adult choice
Parfum / Extrait	20–30%	8–12 h+	Evening, special occasions
Extrait de Parfum	25–40%	10–16 h	Signature scents, cold-weather projection

Why concentration changes the experience

Higher concentration is not just stronger; it changes the character. An EDT version of a perfume usually emphasises the top notes — bright citrus, fresh herbs. The EDP version of the same fragrance pushes the heart and base — woody depth, resinous warmth. The Extrait can feel like a completely different perfume because the dry-down dominates.

When to pick which

• Hot, humid afternoon: EDC or light EDT. Heavy concentrations turn dense and cloying.
• Office or daytime: EDT or moderate EDP. Avoid heavy oud or extrait — your colleagues should not smell you from three desks away.
• Evening event: EDP or Parfum. The projection lasts through dinner and an after-party.
• Cold winter day: Extrait. Low temperature slows evaporation, so the heavier the better.

One application trick

For high concentrations, spray one pulse point — not three. The fragrance will radiate outward; you do not need to drench the wrist, neck, and chest. A single spray of a good extrait will outlast four sprays of a cheap EDT.