When shopping for fragrance, you'll see French terms like Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, and Extrait de Parfum printed on the bottom of the bottle.
These aren't just fancy words—they represent the percentage of pure fragrance oil concentration dissolved in alcohol. Understanding these differences is the key to knowing how long a bottle will last and how strongly it will project.
The Fragrance Concentration Scale
| Concentration Type | Fragrance Oil % | Average Longevity | Best Used For |
| Eau de Cologne (EDC) | 2% – 4% | 1 – 2 Hours | Quick post-workout splash |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | 5% – 15% | 3 – 5 Hours | Light, daytime summer wear |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | 15% – 20% | 6 – 8 Hours | Standard everyday wear |
| Extrait de Parfum | 20% – 40% | 10 to 12+ Hours | All-day performance & evening wear |
Why Extrait de Parfum Performs Better
Extrait de Parfum (sometimes referred to as Pure Perfume) is the highest concentration available in personal fragrance. Here is why it stands out:
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Rich Base Notes: Because of the lower alcohol content, Extrait formulas allow deep base notes (like oud, amber, sandalwood, and vanilla) to settle onto the skin and slowly evolve across 12+ hours.
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Slower Evaporation: Less alcohol means slower evaporation rates. Instead of a loud, synthetic burst that fades quickly, Extrait de Parfum creates a smooth, continuous scent bubble around you.
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Gentler on Sensitive Skin: Alcohol can dry out skin or cause irritation. Higher oil concentrations use less alcohol, making them far better for sensitive skin types.
The REF Standard
At REF, we formulate our scents at high oil concentrations to match Extrait de Parfum intensity. You get incredible projection, complex note evolution, and all-day performance without needing to reapply halfway through your day.
Experience Extrait-level intensity without the luxury markup.
Test our full lineup at home with the REF Discovery Set.
