Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, Extrait de Parfum, and the plain Parfum you still see on older bottles. These are not French words invented to justify a price. They are a scale, and the gap between the top and the bottom of it is how long the fragrance stays on your skin.
Here is the plain-English version: what each term means, how they rank for strength and wear time, and why the 35% figure on an Aromara bottle matters more than almost anything else on the label.
Which perfume has the highest oil concentration?
Extrait de Parfum has the highest oil concentration of any perfume type, from around 20% up to 40% aromatic oil. Every Aromara scent is made at up to 35% Extrait, published on each product page, against 15 to 20% for a typical Eau de Parfum. Try Eventus as a 5ml for £6.99.
Fragrance is oil dissolved in a carrier
Every fragrance is two basic parts: the aromatic compounds that create the smell, and a solvent, usually alcohol, sometimes a carrier oil, that carries and spreads them. The percentage of aromatic compounds is the concentration. That one percentage decides how strong the fragrance is and how long it lasts.
More oil, the scent holds longer and projects more. Less oil, it fades faster. It really is that direct.
The concentration ladder
| Name | Oil % | Wear time | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Fraîche | 1 to 3% | Under an hour | Barely there, a light splash |
| Eau de Cologne | 2 to 4% | 1 to 2 hours | Fresh, fleeting, reapply often |
| Eau de Toilette | 5 to 15% | 2 to 4 hours | The most common high-street strength |
| Eau de Parfum | 15 to 20% | 4 to 6 hours | The default for most designer scents |
| Extrait de Parfum | 20 to 40% | 7 to 12 hours | The strongest, longest-lasting category |
Is Extrait the same as Parfum?
Yes. Extrait de Parfum, pure Parfum and Parfum all name the same top rung: the highest oil concentration you can buy. Older bottles tend to say Parfum, newer ones say Extrait de Parfum. Both sit above Eau de Parfum, which sits above Eau de Toilette. So when people ask about Parfum versus Eau de Parfum, the answer is that Parfum is the stronger, longer-lasting one.
What is Extrait de Parfum?
Extrait de Parfum, sometimes called pure parfum or simply Extrait, is the highest concentration of fragrance sold to the public. It runs from around 20% up to 40% aromatic compounds. This is the strength reserved for the most expensive releases from the big houses, and it is why a tiny bottle of pure parfum can cost as much as a large bottle of Eau de Toilette.
At Extrait strength a fragrance behaves differently. It sits close to the skin at first, then opens slowly over hours rather than blasting and fading. The dry-down, the part that develops after the opening notes burn off, is deeper and lasts far longer. That is exactly where cheaper, lower-concentration fragrances fall apart.
Why 35% is the number that matters
Most fragrances labelled Eau de Parfum, including most UK dupes, sit at 15 to 20% concentration. Aromara is formulated at 35% Extrait de Parfum. That is not a marginal difference. It is roughly double the oil of a standard EDP.
In real terms, doubling the concentration means longer wear (7 to 9 hours on skin instead of 4 to 6), stronger projection off the skin, a complete dry-down rather than just the opening, and better value per wear, because you apply less to get the same effect.
This is the whole reason a well-made 35% Extrait can rival a designer fragrance costing ten times more. The expensive part of fragrance is rarely the liquid. It is the brand, the bottle and the marketing. Match the concentration and the formulation, and the performance follows.
What 35% looks like in real sales
Every spray we make is a 35% Extrait, disclosed on each product page. In the last 90 days our sixty best-selling sprays sold 2,432 bottles between them, all at that concentration. We can print that figure because it is ours. Almost no house will publish the concentration of a single bottle, let alone tie it to what people actually buy back.
Why most dupe brands will not tell you their concentration
If concentration matters this much, why do so few UK dupe brands publish it? Because most sit at 15 to 20%, and disclosing an average number invites the obvious question about why the fragrance fades quickly.
A brand at genuinely high concentration tends to shout about it, because it is a real selling point. A brand that stays quiet on concentration is usually quiet for a reason. When you shop for dupes, treat a disclosed percentage as a green flag and a vague "long lasting" as a yellow one.
How to apply Extrait de Parfum
Because Extrait is strong, you need less of it. Spray onto pulse points, the wrists, neck and behind the ears, where warmth helps it project. Do not rub your wrists together, as that crushes the top notes. Spray onto skin as well as clothes, since skin warmth develops the scent while fabric mainly holds it. Start with one or two sprays and add more only if you want stronger projection.
Frequently asked questions
Which perfume has the highest oil concentration?
Extrait de Parfum has the highest oil concentration of any perfume type, from around 20% up to 40% aromatic oil. Every Aromara scent is made at up to 35% Extrait, published on each product page, against 15 to 20% for a typical Eau de Parfum.
Is Extrait de Parfum better than Eau de Parfum?
Stronger and longer-lasting, yes. Better depends on what you want. Extrait gives more longevity and projection per spray, which most people want. EDP is lighter and can suit those who prefer a subtle scent. For value and performance, Extrait wins.
What does 35% Extrait mean?
It means 35% of the fragrance is aromatic oil, with the rest being the carrier. At 35% the fragrance is firmly in Extrait de Parfum territory, roughly double a standard 15 to 20% Eau de Parfum, which is why it lasts so much longer.
Does Extrait de Parfum last longer?
Yes, clearly. Extrait typically lasts 7 to 12 hours on skin compared with 4 to 6 hours for Eau de Parfum and 2 to 4 hours for Eau de Toilette. Concentration is the single biggest factor in how long a fragrance lasts.
Is higher concentration worth paying more for?
Usually, yes, because you apply less per wear and the bottle lasts longer, so cost per wear can be lower despite a higher sticker price. With dupes, high concentration at a low price, like 35% Extrait at £40 for 50ml, is the best of both.
Are all Aromara fragrances Extrait de Parfum?
Yes. Every fragrance in the Aromara range is formulated at 35% Extrait de Parfum. The concentration is disclosed on every product.
The bottom line
Concentration is the most useful number on any fragrance bottle, and the one most brands hide. Extrait de Parfum is the strongest category, and at 35% you get roughly double the oil of a standard Eau de Parfum, which is why it lasts hours longer and projects properly.
Want to feel the difference? Try a 5ml Eventus sampler for £6.99, or browse the full 35% Extrait range. Spray it in the morning and check it at the end of the day. That is the only test that counts.
Related reading
- The Strongest Perfume Dupes in the UK 2026
- Best UK Dupe Perfume Brands 2026
- Best Perfume Dupes UK 2026: The Ultimate List
Aromara is an independent UK fragrance brand making designer-inspired fragrances at 35% Extrait de Parfum concentration. All scents are original creations. No affiliation with any brand mentioned. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
