What Does Parfum Mean? Perfume Terms Explained

Parfum is the French word for perfume. On a fragrance bottle it usually refers to the most concentrated version, also called extrait de parfum or pure perfume, which typically contains about 15 to 30% aromatic compounds, depending on the brand.

Where you will see the word

• On a bottle: “Parfum” or “Extrait” signals the strongest concentration, above eau de parfum.
• On an ingredient list: “Parfum” is the standard label for fragrance in cosmetics such as creams and shampoos sold in the UK and EU. It covers the scent blend rather than a single ingredient.

How it compares

From strongest to lightest, the usual order is parfum or extrait, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne and eau fraîche. The strongest versions last longest, though how a scent wears also depends on your skin and the fragrance itself.

If you have sensitive skin

Fragrance can irritate some people. If you react to scented products, look for “fragrance-free” options and patch test new products on a small area first. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor about persistent reactions.

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