EDP vs EDT
Difference between EDP and EDT can be easily understood once you know what each stands for and what they contain. EDP and EDT are different labels for fragrances that we use daily. People all over the world make use of fragrances to keep and feel fresh for a long period of time. For this purpose they buy many kinds of perfumes but are often confused when they see different labels on the products and also different price ranges. The words like EDP, EDT, and EDC seem to be outlandish and make things very confusing. However, it is very simple indeed when you know the definitions of these words.
The prefix ED in all three abbreviations is actually Eau De which is French word for perfume. Now perfumes are mixtures of many compounds, oils, aromatic compounds, solvents and fixatives. EDP, EDT and EDC refer to eau de perfume, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne respectively. There are fragrant products in this chain also that are perfume extracts and aftershave lotions. What these abbreviations imply is the concentration or percentage aromatic compounds to solvents in a solution.
Concentration of different types of aromatic substances is as follows: Perfume extract – 15-40%, Eau de perfume – 10-20%, Eau de toilette – 5-15%, Eau de cologne – 3-8% and Aftershave – 1-3%.
The intensity of the fragrance and how long it will last after application depends upon the concentration of aromatic compounds in relation to the solvents. The larger this percentage, the stronger the fragrance, and longer its effect on skin be felt.
What is EDP?
EDP stands for Eau de Perfume. Though it carries the word perfume, the concentration of EDP is not the same as perfume. EDP only has 10-20% of aromatic compounds. So, it lasts less than perfume, which has 15-40% of aromatic compounds. To make the scent last longer in aromatic compounds a number of ingredients are added. Eau de perfumes are renowned for two notes that work in tandem to hold the fragrance. The top note is released when one applies eau de perfume and lasts for some time. As it goes off, another note is released which is also called the heart of the scent. This note lasts after the top notes have faded away.
What is EDT?
EDT stands for Eau de Toilette. EDP only has 5-15% of aromatic compounds. So, it lasts less than eau de perfume, which has 10-20% of aromatic compounds. To make the scent last longer in aromatic compounds a number of ingredients are added. When one of the aromatic compounds breaks down another takes its place and the fragrance stays. However, with eau de toilette the top notes, the first scent released is dominant. So, initially, it is very refreshing but the scent evaporates quickly.
What is the difference between EDP and EDT?
• When it comes to essence concentration the list goes from the top to the lowest as follows: perfume, eau de perfume, eau de toilette, eau de cologne and aftershave.
• EDP is eau de perfume, while EDT is eau de toilette.
• Eau de perfume has 10 – 20% essence; eau de toilette 5 – 15%. In other words, EDP has a higher percentage of aromatic compounds in it than EDT.
• Eau de perfume with its two notes stays fragrant for a longer period than eau de toilette, which only has one note.
• Eau de perfume is more expensive than eau de toilette.
Images Courtesy:
- Eau de perfume via Wikicommons (Public Domain)
- Eau de toilette by Bruce The Deus (CC BY-SA 3.0)
