The same name, one bottle marked EDT and one marked EDP, with a considerable difference in price. The difference lies in concentration, but not only there.
These abbreviations indicate the level of fragrance concentrate in the solution, rising in the order EDC, EDT, EDP and then parfum. A higher concentration usually holds on the skin longer, but it does not automatically mean a stronger or a better scent.
The four usual levels
- EDC, eau de cologne: the lowest concentration, light, fast to disperse, usually used to freshen up.
- EDT, eau de toilette: the common level, balanced between freshness and staying power.
- EDP, eau de parfum: a higher concentration, a clearer base, holding longer.
- Parfum or extrait: the highest concentration, usually used in very small amounts each time.
Why this should not be treated as a measure of quality
These levels are an industry convention and there is no single binding standard across all brands, so the same letters EDP from two different houses already give different results. More importantly, for the same scent name the EDT and the EDP version are often reblended rather than simply made more concentrated, so the two versions can smell noticeably different.
So if you like the EDT version of a scent, do not assume you will like the EDP version of the same scent. Try it again as if it were a new scent.
Choosing for your own use
If you need a scent for a working day in a closed room, a light level sprayed sparingly is usually easier to live with. If you need a scent for the evening or for cold weather, a higher concentration will last better. In a hot and humid climate, as it is for most of the year in Vietnam, many people find a light level with a reapplication when needed more comfortable than one heavy spray.
A few questions you often send us
How many sprays are enough
There is no general number, because it depends on the concentration, on the scent and on where you are going. The courteous principle is that the person sitting next to you in a meeting should not have to identify what you are wearing.
Does perfume have a shelf life
Yes. Scent changes over time, especially the citrus notes, and light and heat make the process faster. Keep the bottle in its box, somewhere cool, out of the sun and out of the bathroom.
Which level does ZUNGZA work at
Our two current perfumes are made for everyday use at a moderate level, in a forest direction. The details of each one are on its product page, and we say them clearly there rather than in a general knowledge article.