What Does Eau Mean in Perfume?

Eau is the French word for water. In perfume names it points to a fragrance that has been diluted, so “eau de parfum” means roughly “perfume water” and “eau de toilette” is the older English “toilet water”.

The main “eau” strengths

• Eau de parfum: typically about 15 to 20% aromatic compounds.
• Eau de toilette: typically 5 to 15%, often around 10%, and commonly said to last about 2 to 4 hours.
• Eau de cologne: about 2 to 3%, lasting around 2 hours.
• Eau fraîche: 3% or less, the lightest.

Why it matters

The more fragrance oil in the bottle, the stronger and longer-lasting the scent tends to be, and the higher the price. Lighter eaux suit hot weather and daytime, while stronger ones suit evenings. Brands set their own percentages, so the label is only a guide.

A quick tip

Test a fragrance on your skin and wait a few hours, because the opening and the dry-down can smell quite different.

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