The Fragrance Families: Woody, Floral, Oriental, Fresh & Spicy Explained
A clear guide to the fragrance families — woody, spicy, fresh, oriental and floral — with common notes, best occasions and how to find your signature scent.
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Perfume concentration is the percentage of aromatic oils in the formula. Extrait de Parfum contains roughly 20–30% and lasts the longest (often 8+ hours); Eau de Parfum (EDP) about 15–20% (6–8 hours); Eau de Toilette (EDT) about 5–15% (3–5 hours); Eau de Cologne (EDC) about 2–4% (around 2 hours). Higher concentration usually means more longevity and a higher price, but not always more projection.
Two bottles carry the same name — one says Eau de Toilette, the other Eau de Parfum — and the prices are different. Are they the same scent? Not quite. The label tells you the concentration: how much perfume oil is dissolved in alcohol. That one detail changes longevity, intensity, character and price.
The concentration table
| Type | Perfume oil | Typical longevity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extrait de Parfum / Parfum | ≈ 20–30% | 8–12+ hours | Evenings, special occasions, cooler weather |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | ≈ 15–20% | 6–8 hours | All-day wear, signature scents |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | ≈ 5–15% | 3–5 hours | Office, daytime, warm weather |
| Eau de Cologne (EDC) | ≈ 2–4% | ≈ 2 hours | Refreshing after a shower or gym |
| Eau Fraîche / body mist | ≈ 1–3% | 1–2 hours | Light layering, hot days |
| Perfume oil / attar | Oil-based, alcohol-free | Long on skin, close projection | Intimate wear, Arabian perfumery |
These ranges are industry conventions, not legal definitions — each house sets its own formula. Skin type, climate and how you apply fragrance also change the result.
Is the EDT the same scent as the EDP?
Usually not exactly. Perfumers often reformulate each concentration. An EDT may lean brighter and fresher, emphasising citrus and aromatic top notes, while the EDP of the same line is rounder and warmer with more base notes like amber, vanilla or woods. Some houses even use different notes entirely. Always try both if you can.
Longevity is not the same as projection
Longevity is how long you can smell the fragrance on skin. Projection (or sillage) is how far it radiates from you. An Extrait may last all day but sit close to the skin, while a fresh EDT can project strongly for the first hour then fade. If you want to be noticed in a room, projection matters; if you want a scent to last through a long day, longevity matters.
Which concentration should you buy?
- Hot climate, daytime, office: EDT or a fresh EDP — see our guide to perfume for hot weather.
- Long days or evenings out: EDP.
- Weddings, winter evenings, statement moments: Extrait de Parfum or an oud-based EDP.
- Sensitive to strong scents: EDC, Eau Fraîche or a perfume oil.
- Retail stock for resale: EDP is generally the best-selling concentration; EDTs sell well in fresh and sporty lines.
Price per wear: the hidden value
A higher concentration costs more per millilitre but you often need fewer sprays. Two sprays of an EDP may outlast four sprays of the EDT, so the cost per day can be similar. When buying for a store, consider what your customers expect: gifting buyers love recognisable EDPs; younger customers often prefer fresh EDTs.
Not sure which version of a fragrance to choose? Ask the Cannes Perfumes team — we will recommend the right concentration for you or your customers. Explore the scent families next in The Fragrance Families explained.
Frequently asked questions
Which lasts longer, EDP or EDT?
Eau de Parfum (EDP) usually lasts longer than Eau de Toilette (EDT) because it contains a higher percentage of perfume oils — typically around 15–20% versus 5–15%.
Is Parfum stronger than Eau de Parfum?
Parfum (Extrait) has the highest concentration and usually the longest longevity, but it often sits closer to the skin. It is richer and deeper rather than necessarily louder.
What does EDC mean on a perfume?
EDC stands for Eau de Cologne — a light concentration of about 2–4% perfume oil that lasts around two hours and is designed to refresh.
Published by CANNES PERFUMES CO LLC, Deira, Dubai. Last reviewed .