What is the difference amongst Perfume, Eau de Perfume, Eau de Toilette and Eau de Cologne?

"I am looking for a good perfume bhai", said Kushagra, my younger brother.

"Perfume? But why..since when have you started buying these stuff?", I queried him.

"Since the day I have started cycling & any-which-ways the sweltering Faridabad heat demands one."

"Ok..Which deo are you looking for?"

 "Not Deo bhai, but perfume. Technically speaking Eau de Perfume. You really don’t know much about these na. Maybe you can write your next blog on the difference between Eau de Perfume, Eau de Toilette etc." said Kushagra correcting me.

So here it is. My next blog on the sweet topic of fragrance.

How is a Deodorant different from Perfume?

While both Deodorant and Perfume create good aroma around, there is a major difference in the application, function and composition of the two. So to start with, let us understand the reason of generation of bad smell. The reason we emit a foul smell is attributed to the doings of bacteria. The sweat in itself isn't foul, but when bacteria react with it, it gives an awful smell.

Deodorants help to curb this chemical reaction, functioning as an 'antimicrobial', which inhibits the unpleasant odour. Some of the deodorants also have an added aromatic oil which imparts a refreshing/vivid smell.

Perfumes, on the other hand, do exactly what we think they do: Impart enticing fragrance. Perfume word has been derived from latin 'per + fumum', meaning 'through smoke', as ancient civilizations developed it by burning oil extracted from plants to give an alluring aroma to the air.

So while Deodorants are used as a sort of preventive action against the generation of bad smell, strong odour of Perfumes helps in masking the generated smell due to the chemical reaction.

What is the difference amongst Perfume, Eau de Perfume, Eau de Toilette and Eau de Cologne?

The main ingredients in perfume are essential aromatic extracts from plants/flowers/roots, alcohol, water. Based on the concentration of aromatic extracts, perfumes are categorized majorly into 4 groups:

1) Perfume: The concentration is about 20-40%, highest in the category. As a result, perfumes are the costliest

2) Eau de Perfume: Next in group is Eau de Perfume comprising 15-20% of aromatic compounds

3) Eau de Toilette: It contains 5-15% concentration of essentials and comes generally in a spray bottle

4) Eau de Cologne: With 2-4% of aromatic compounds, Eau de Cologne or simple Cologne is the lightest of perfume. The fragrance too lasts for a while only

With the concentration of aromatic compounds lessening, the price also comes down. The fragrance too doesn’t last long. While you may wear the smell of 'Perfume' for a complete day, an 'Eau de Cologne' may last just a couple of hours. But have you also felt a difference in fragrance the first time you wear it and once after a couple of hours.

Perfume Notes: Top note, Middle note & Base note

With the passage of time, perfume generally emits 3 different aroma; classified as notes. The first impression of perfume comes from the initial smell called the Top note. It is one that comes immediately on applying the liquid. The Middle note then follows soon. Finally, comes the Base note that is felt after some time (half an hour or so) of the application of solution. While Top note plays a critical role in enticing/persuading the prospective buyer, middle note along with base note define the actual scent of a perfume.

Nerd notes:

1. 'Eau' is a French word for water
2. Kannauj is the perfume capital of India
3. DKNY Golden Delicious Million Dollar Fragrance Bottle is the costliest perfume in the world at $1 million

Thanks for reading. Keep smiling !

- Prakhar