THE PERFUME JOURNAL
EDP, Parfum and Extrait: What to Check Before Buying
EDP, parfum and extrait appear in many perfume names. They help identify the version you are buying, but the label alone is not enough to choose a fragrance. Start with the exact product name and compare the information supplied for that version.
Read the full name on the product page
EDP is short for eau de parfum. You will also encounter eau de toilette, parfum and extrait de parfum. Keep those words in your search when comparing a product across shops. Two bottles with the same main fragrance name may belong to different versions.
Check the concentration label, bottle size and any additional edition name together. If a photograph and a title seem inconsistent, ask for clarification before placing an order. A familiar brand name should not be the only detail you use to identify the bottle.
Do not choose by an assumed number of hours
Concentration terms are not a universal guarantee of wear time or strength. Do not assume that an extrait will always suit you better than an EDP, or that a higher price means a fragrance will feel more comfortable in your usual setting.
Read the description of the particular fragrance. If you have tried another version, explain that when asking for advice. Treat reviews as individual experiences rather than a promise that a perfume will behave identically for everyone.
Keep comparisons like for like
When comparing prices, match the version and volume first. A 50ml extrait and a 100ml EDP are different purchases even when they share a brand. Check whether the listing describes a full retail bottle, a tester or another format; ask if that is unclear.
Examples in the X AROMA catalogue include Sospiro Vibrato EDP 100ml and Lorenzo Pazzaglia Summer Hammer Extrait de Parfum 50ml. These are different fragrances as well as different labelled formats and sizes. They should not be compared as if concentration were their only difference.
Choose for your preferences and use
Ask yourself what matters most: a fragrance you already know, a particular scent direction, a comfortable bottle size or a spending limit. Use those answers to narrow your options before looking at concentration as a deciding factor.
You can browse eau de parfum and extrait de parfum separately. Open each product page for current details. If you are trying to replace a bottle you already own, send its full name and size through our contact page so the intended version is clear.
