As with any fragrance, knowing about different types of fragrance concentrations can help you choose the best scent for that moment. Or perhaps you’ve been walking around a room and you can smell the scent in it, and if you’ve ever sprayed a perfume and it’s been lingering longer than expected. Thanks to that come fragrance concentration, well, that’s all. Also, how long a fragrance will last on your skin (or, in your clothes) depends on how concentrated it is — the higher level of concentration in a fragrance directly affects how it smells. It’s time to take a deeper look at fragrance concentrations, and what they mean.
What Are Fragrance Concentrations?
Simply, fragrance concentration is considered the percentage of fragrance oils (essential oils) to the amount of alcohol or other base the product is made of. The more fragrance oil, the better the fragrance, and the longer it will last. Knowing these differences makes picking out the right fragrance for work, a special occasion, or your signature scent a little bit easier.
Common Fragrance Concentrations
Fragrance concentrations vary from strength to strength and are generally classified in various categories according to the percentage of essential oils used. Let’s take a look at the different types of fragrances and then compare them to one another.
1. Perfume (Extrait de Parfum)
This is the most concentrated of all fragrance concentrations and the most luxurious. Fragrance oils are incredibly potent: there are typically 20–30% in perfume. As they get as high of a concentration as possible, the plants have a fragrance that can last 8 to 12 hours or even more. Using perfume is just a matter of hitting yourself a couple of spritzes and you’re good to go for the rest of the day. This is what will create the long-lasting intense smell you are going for. For this kind of concentration, the kind of oils that work well for perfume types like HBNO’s Frankincense and Cedarwood Essential Oil would work beautifully, as these oils are known for their deep, lasting notes.
2. Eau de Parfum (EDP)
Eau de Parfum, or EDP, comes next—a popular choice for those who want a scent that’s not too much, but is long enough lasting. Eau de Parfum contains 15–20% fragrance oils and offers very good longevity of 6–8 hours. It’s an excellent everyday fragrance because of this. Sweet Orange Essential Oil and Frankincense are a lovely option for a balanced oil concentration. With a fresh invigorating scent and grounding, deep undertones, these essential oils can hold you in their hand all day long.
3. Eau de Toilette (EDT)
Eau de Toilette contains around 5–15% essential oils, so it’s a lighter fragrance. It may not last as long as EDP or perfume but it’s a decent alternative to always having something fresh on, provided it’s what you like. Typically, Eau de Toilette stays on for about 4 to 6 hours and is perfect for people who want a quick snip of scent that’s not too overpowering. Of course, oils such as HBNO’s Lemongrass Essential Oil and Eucalyptus Essential Oil are suited perfectly for this concentration. As an EDT formulation though, their crisp, refreshing qualities work well, a great pimple or quick pick-up throughout the day.
4. Eau de Cologne (EDC)
Eau de Cologne is a light concentrate, having 2-5% fragrance oils in its formulation. It’s often used in refreshing body splashes, as well as being a great inexpensive alternative for those who want a subtle scent without a whack of cologne in the face. Eau de Cologne lasts 2 to 4 hours so it’s great for a quick burst of freshness. For an Eau de Cologne, the rest of the choices boil down to HBNO’s Lime Essential Oil or Peppermint Essential Oil. These oils are both uplifting, energizing, and refreshing fragrances that give you just a few spritzes of refreshment.
5. Aftershave
Not a traditional fragrance, aftershave is a lightly scented product that can also be categorized as fragrance concentrations. Where found, this usually has around 1 to 3% fragrance oil for use after shaving, to soothe the skin. The fragrance is quite a subtle one, and it doesn’t stay fresh for long, so it’s a wonderful choice for people who want a light scent. Tea Tree Essential Oil from HBNO works well in aftershaves with its soothing properties and subtle, refreshing smell.
How Fragrance Concentrations Affect Scent Strength and Longevity
So, right now when you go to pick your fragrance you’ll want to look at the strength of the smell and the length of the last. Fragrance concentrations that are higher offer a stronger overall fragrance and a longer-lasting scent, which is excellent for evening wear or special occasions. But lighter concentrations, while able to deliver a subtle scent, are better for everyday usage, particularly in warmer weather where you don’t want something too strong.
Also, it’s a good thing to know that fragrance longevity is also related to your skin type. The fragrance stays longer on oilier skin types than dry skin, but dry skin absorbs fragrance more quickly. That’s why, when choosing your fragrance concentration, you should keep that in mind.
Choosing the Right Fragrance Concentration for You
When choosing a fragrance concentration it comes down to personal preference and how you’d like the fragrance to carry you through the day. If you’re after something that will last from morning to night, go for a perfume or Eau de Parfum. An Eau de Toilette or Eau de Cologne will also work well for a less formal and lighter something. All about how much scent, and how long it lasts.
Personal Experience: My Journey with Fragrance Concentrations
I was also a bit overwhelmed with the variety of fragrance concentrations when I began to explore them. To start, I explored the different strengths of several scents, and it didn’t take long before I realized each scent at each strength is its beauty. For instance, the Eau de Parfum from HBNO’s Jasmine Fragrance Oil is beautiful, sweet, and strong, but then again, strong doesn’t mean overpowering and it stays on your skin all day. Personally, though I wear HBNO’s Pine Needle Essential Oil in the more perfumed form of an Eau de Cologne in the summertime because it’s fresh and clean but adds a little nature to my day.
I also noticed that how the fragrance works with your body depends on the concentration. HBNO’s Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil perfume concentration, I find to be the perfect warm, spicy scent for a special evening out that doesn’t fade out when night arrives.
Final Thoughts on Fragrance Concentrations
The key to figuring out your perfect scent and making that scent last as long as you desire is understanding fragrance concentration. From something bold and lasting to something light and refreshing, any particular floral concentration is just right for you. To start exploring fragrance oils, HBNO has a whole array of essential oils that can be blended to formulate your favorite fragrance; from the deeper more grounding fragrance of Cedarwood to refreshing bursts of Lemon Essential Oil. Investigate other possibilities and fool around with concentration until you find what fits your lifestyle.
