Tout savoir sur l'eau de parfum

All about Eau de Parfum

Theeau de parfumhas a less intense fragrance concentration than perfumes (also referred to as "essences" or "extracts"), which are generally twice as concentrated. How do we use eau de parfum? What are its potential dangers? How can one maintain a pleasant scent all day? Typology answers your questions.

What exactly is eau de parfum?

Fragrant substances come in various categories such as cologne, toilet water, perfume, and the one we are interested in here, eau de parfum. The difference between these various types of fragrances is the dosage of odorant molecules. Perfume contains about 20 to 40% of fragrant substances (hence its often high cost) while eau de parfum contains 15 to 20%. Everything is diluted in a solution of 70 or 90° alcohol. Eau de parfum also contains glycerin, to mitigate the drying effect of alcohol on the skin.

Why use perfume water?

The concentration of fragrant substances in an eau de parfum is situated between that of perfume and eau de toilette.

It is often preferred over perfume due to its lower cost and its lighter, less pronounced scent. Eau de parfum is also appreciated for its long-lasting nature, between 6 and 8 hours. Thus, it generally only requires two to three sprays in the morning on pulse points (neck, inside of the elbow or wrist, behind the ear) to last throughout the day.

The various olfactory notes of a perfume.

A perfume water is a composition of three aromatic notes: a top note, a heart note, and a base note. This is referred to as olfactory pyramid. While all notes are essential in creating a harmony, the heart and base notes are the ones that persist the most on the skin and clothes throughout the day. When choosing your perfume water, consider your scent preferences. It's important to know that aromatic notes are divided into several categories, namely:

● The hesperidic notes, which represent the scents of citrus. They are light and volatile, which is why they are used as top notes.

● The green notes, fresh, reminiscent of a springtime scent. This is the case with essences of violet leaf, petit grain bigarade, etc.

● The fruity notes. Slightly pronounced, they have a delectable scent. These fruity aromas are used as heart notes and are primarily incorporated into women's perfumes.

● The floral notes, as their name suggests, are characterized by the scents of flowers. Common floral notes include essences of jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, etc. They are also highly valued in women's perfumes.

● The spicy notes, with a potent aroma. They provide a sensation of warmth and are captivating. These notes correspond to the scents of cinnamon, sandalwood, etc. They are often used as base notes in men's perfumes, although they are increasingly found in unisex fragrances as well.

● The woody notes whose scent is reminiscent of the essences of wood. They are both powerful and elegant and can be used in the creation of a perfume for both men and women.

● The amber notes. These are warm and captivating scents, combining different odors. They can have a slight floral smell, accompanied by a spicy scent. This is the case with vanilla essence, tonka bean, etc.

The dangers and contraindications of perfume water

The eau de parfum contains fragrant substances that can be photosensitizing. Indeed, to create it, plant extracts or essential oils are mixed with alcohol. When applied to the skin, these ingredients can make it sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, applying eau de parfum before sun exposure can cause skin reactions such as redness or persistent brown spots.

The eau de parfum also poses allergy risks due to the essential oil or plant extract it contains. Alcohol, on the other hand, can irritate sensitive skin. Therefore, it is always advisable to perform a tolerance test in the crook of the elbow before purchasing. For sensitive skin, it is best to favor natural ingredients to limit the risk of skin irritations.

How to make the scent of a perfume last longer?

There are certain tricks that can make a perfume's scent last longer. Generally, this involves finding a sensitive area of the body. Perfumes are therefore to be sprayed on the body's hot spots, that is, the areas where the heartbeat can be felt. This includes the wrists and the nape of the neck.

Furthermore, before spraying your perfume, pre-moisturize your skin with an oily substance. The use of a vegetable oil or a moisturizing cream is particularly common.

Perfume water can also be sprayed onto hair or clothing. Indeed, fibers have a greater capacity to retain scents than skin does.

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