"Eau de" is a French term commonly used in the world of perfumes and fragrances. It translates to "water of" in English and is often used to describe the concentration of a fragrance.
Eau de cologne, eau de parfum, and eau de toilette are all types of fragrances, but they differ in terms of their concentration of aromatic compounds, also known as essential oils. This concentration affects both the intensity of the fragrance and its longevity on the skin.
- Eau de Cologne, also known as cologne, is a light, refreshing fragrance with a low concentration of aromatic compounds, typically 2-5%. It is meant to be used as a body splash or aftershave, and has a lighter and more refreshing scent. It typically has a short longevity, lasting for about 2 hours.
- Eau de Parfum is a more concentrated fragrance with a higher amount of aromatic compounds, usually 15-20%. As a result, it has a stronger and longer-lasting scent than cologne, lasting for about 5-8 hours. Eau de parfum is a more sophisticated and intense type of fragrance, usually worn for special occasions.
- Eau de Toilette is a lighter concentration of fragrance compared to eau de parfum, with a concentration of 5-15% of aromatic compounds. It is meant to be used as a lighter alternative to eau de parfum, and its scent is more subtle and fresh. Eau de toilette typically lasts for about 2-4 hours.