For the fierce fragrance fanatics amongst us, Eau de Toilette and perfume oil feel worlds apart.
For the rest of us, it can feel like much of a muchness. Each one smells great. Each gets applied to your skin. Each feels like an unmissable part of your daily routine.
In reality, each fragrance format has a different formulation and ratio—all of which impacts how fragrances apply, disperse, and wear with the day.
What’s An Eau de Toilette
Eau de Toilettes are one of the most common fragrance varieties, with their history going back centuries. Louis XIV (that’s the Sun King) (ever modest) was famously fond of fragrance, even having his shirts perfumed with a scented water called Aqua Angeli. While a little different from the EDTs we know today, it was part of a long tradition of using scented waters to smell rather wonderful.
This fragrance category comes in a liquid form and dilutes aromatic fragrance ingredients in alcohol. When spritzed, the alcohol evaporates quickly, helping disperse the fragrance into the air. Meaning: A beautiful burst of scent that travels beyond your skin and subsequently, more compliments.
What’s A Perfume Oil
Perfume oils blend aromatic fragrance ingredients with an oil-based carrier, rather than alcohol. They actually preceded the creation of alcohol-based fragrances, with many ancient civilisations first fashioning fragrances from oils.
In the world of perfumes, the alcohol-less formulation makes for a unique scent experience. With no alcohol molecules to disperse, perfume oils get absorbed by the skin, allowing the fragrance to meld with your body's chemistry to create a more personal fragrance experience.
Ok But What’s The Difference
Alcohol! Oil! Molecules! What on earth does that actually mean day-to-day when you’re wearing a scent? Let’s break it down:
| Eau de Toilette | Perfume Oil |
|
Fragrance diluted in alcohol. Alcohol evaporates quicker, allowing fragrance molecules to become airborne. The fragrance is then dispersed into the surrounding air, creating a noticeable, compliment-worthy scent. Typically has a wider scent radius so people might smell you before they see you. |
Fragrance diluted in a carrier oil. The oil remains on the skin so the fragrance molecules evaporate more gradually. Fragrance tends to sit closer to the skin, creating a more intimate scent experience. Typically has a closer-to-skin scent radius. That means less scent projection. This format can be better suited for sensitive skin types. |
Which One Should I Pick
Luckily, one is in no way better than the other. And in the wondrous world of Go-To Fragrance, our perfume oils and EDTs boast the same signature scent, so it really comes down to personal preference/ time and place.
Eau de Toilettes: This lets you enjoy 50 mL of your Go-To scent in a fabulously fancy bottle that’s worthy of your vanity. Its formula can be easily spritzed about as you need, making it ideal for being kept at home and used liberally as your morning routine’s finishing touch.
Perfume Oils: This handbag-approved rollerball works best for touch ups on-the-go. Stash it in your micropurses and reapply as needed.
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