Perfume Types & Strengths Explained: The Complete Guide

Perfume is one of the most personal luxuries you can own. But with so many labels - Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, clean, luxury, small batch - it’s no wonder people feel confused about what they’re really buying.

In this guide, we’ll break it down: the different perfume types, strengths (and how long they last), what all those terms on the bottle really mean, the most popular fragrance families, and why choosing a perfume isn’t just about scent - it’s about values, too.

The strength of a perfume refers to the concentration of fragrance oils in the formula. Typically, the higher the concentration of oils, the longer the scent will last on your skin.

Sounds simple - but it’s easy to get confused. What’s the difference between Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette? Why do some “clean” perfumes last all day and others disappear in an hour? And what about oil-based perfumes?

Traditionally, there are five main categories of perfume concentrations. But we’d like to add a sixth: Perfume Oil.

Why? Because the base of a perfume doesn’t always have to be alcohol or water - it can also be oil. And oil-based perfumes can behave very differently on the skin, often clinging closer and lasting longer, even if they smell softer at first.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Perfume Oil → (10–30% fragrance oils in a natural oil base). A concentrated, skin-hugging option that lasts 6–12 hours depending on the blend.
  
  

• Eau Fraîche → 1–3% fragrance oils. Super light, refreshing, lasts 1–2 hours.
  
  

• Eau de Cologne (EDC) → 2–4% fragrance oils. Bright and uplifting, but only around 2 hours.
  
  

• Eau de Toilette (EDT) → 5–15% fragrance oils. Everyday wear, 3–5 hours.
  
  

• Eau de Parfum (EDP) → 15–20% fragrance oils. Richer, deeper, lasting 6–8 hours.
  
  

• Extrait / Parfum → 20–40% fragrance oils. The most luxurious and long-lasting at 8+ hours.
  
  

✨ Important distinction: when we talk about fragrance oil percentages in natural perfumes, those oils are made from pure essential oils and plant extracts. In mainstream fragrances, the “perfume extracts” are usually synthetic compounds, and in some cases, can even come from animal sources.

That’s why if 100% natural and vegan matters to you, always check the ingredients list and certifications. Transparency is key.

Most mainstream perfumes are built with synthetic aroma chemicals. These are man-made fragrance molecules designed to replicate the smell of natural materials (like rose or amber) at a fraction of the cost. They’re widely used because they’re cheap, consistent, and can create scents that don’t exist in nature.

By contrast, natural perfumes use ingredients distilled, extracted, or expressed directly from plants, flowers, fruits, woods, and resins. These essential oils and absolutes are complex, multi-dimensional, and often more expensive. A kilo of natural rose absolute, for example, requires thousands of petals - whereas a synthetic “rose note” can be made in a lab for pennies.

Both approaches have their place, but if you want a fragrance that’s truly botanical, look for brands that are transparent about ingredient sourcing and avoid generic “parfum” labels on the box (which can hide hundreds of synthetic ingredients). Good brands will list every ingredient on the product listing. 

The word clean is often used in beauty marketing - but it’s not a regulated term. A perfume can call itself clean and still use synthetic fragrance molecules, petroleum-derived ingredients, or undisclosed compounds.

True clean perfume should mean free from harmful chemicals like:

• Phthalates → often used to make scents last longer but linked to health risks.
  
  

• Parabens → synthetic preservatives that can act as hormone disruptors.
  
  

• Nitro-musks and polycyclic musks → cheap synthetic musks that build up in the environment and the human body.
  
  

When a perfume is marketed as non-toxic, it should mean it’s formulated to be safe for long-term use. For fragrance, that usually translates to being free from:

• Endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with hormone balance, often hidden under “fragrance” on labels).
  
  

• Known allergens at unsafe levels (though note: even natural essential oils can contain allergens — the difference is in transparency and safe percentages).
  
  

• Animal-derived ingredients such as musk or civet, which raise ethical as well as safety concerns.
  
  

Non-toxic also means considering the base of the perfume. Many mass-market perfumes use denatured alcohol mixed with stabilisers that may not be skin-friendly. A truly non-toxic perfume uses a clean base (botanical alcohol, or natural oils in the case of perfume oils).

The word luxury can be misleading. In many cases, luxury is more about the branding, packaging, and celebrity endorsements than what’s inside the bottle. It doesn’t always mean higher-quality ingredients. A “luxury” Eau de Parfum can still be 90% synthetics.

This is where individuality really shines. Small batch perfumes are produced in limited runs, usually by independent brands that prioritise creativity, rare materials, and hands-on craftsmanship. Unlike mainstream perfumes that are designed to appeal to the masses, small batch perfumes are designed with intention - each blend is unique and often tells a story.

Perfumes are often grouped into families - each with its own character:

• Fresh → zesty, citrus, oceanic. Light and energising.
  
  

• Floral → roses, jasmine, neroli. Romantic and timeless.
  
  

• Woody → sandalwood, cedar, vetiver. Warm, grounding, sensual.
  
  

• Amber/Oriental → spice, vanilla, resins. Rich and long-lasting.
  
  

• Gourmand → edible, sweet, addictive. Tonka bean, chocolate, caramel.
  
  

Right now, gourmand and amber scents are having a moment — warm vanilla, tonka, and musk are everywhere. Fresh, airy florals are also making a comeback for those who want something lighter.

With so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But if you’re looking for the best balance of quality, longevity, and sustainability, here’s what to keep in mind:

• Choose Eau de Parfum or Parfum.
  These concentrations contain the highest percentage of fragrance itself, meaning they last longer and deliver more depth. If you’re investing in perfume, you want it to actually stay with you.
  
  

• Look for natural plant extracts.
  Essential oils and botanical absolutes are higher quality than synthetic “perfume extracts,” which are often lab-made. If you’re conscious about what goes on your skin, natural is always better — no hidden synthetics, no endocrine disruptors, no petrochemicals.
  
  

• Support small batch, independent brands.
  Mainstream perfume houses often outsource their creations to the same handful of master perfumers and fragrance houses. This means many of their scents share the same building blocks, known as accords — blends of notes designed to smell like a specific idea (a rose, a vanilla, an amber). The result? Different bottles, but surprisingly similar scents.
  
  Independent perfumers, on the other hand, create in smaller runs, with more room for creativity and originality. Each batch is handcrafted, and the result is a fragrance that feels truly unique.
  
  

• Transparency matters.
  A good brand will proudly share how their ingredients are sourced, and whether they’re vegan, cruelty-free, and ethically harvested. If you can’t find this information easily, that’s usually a red flag.
  
  

✨ To summarise: the highest quality perfumes are usually small batch Eau de Parfums or Parfums made with 100% natural ingredients and ethical sourcing practices. Not only do they perform better and last longer, but they’re also more original, more sustainable, and support the kind of businesses making change in the fragrance world.

At Tyler Aromatherapy, we didn’t want to compromise. So we created something different:

• 100% botanical blends
  
  

• Vegan and cruelty-free
  
  

• Free from endocrine disruptors, synthetics, and phthalates
  
  

• Made in small batches, in-house, with complete creative control
  
  

• Macerated for a month to deepen the scent
  
  

• Long-lasting: 8+ hours on skin
  
  

Our first two fragrances — Tonka and Rosa — are the result of over a year of studying, sourcing, blending, and testing.

✨ Tonka is warm and addictive: golden vanilla, floral jasmine, a touch of spice, and a deep tonka bean dry down.
✨ Rosa is modern and romantic: velvety rose, fresh bergamot, chamomile, and ambrette seed for a natural musk.

If you’re looking for a perfume that’s botanical, non-toxic, vegan, small batch, and actually lasts all day - you’re in the right place.