You have likely heard of eu de toilette before, but what exactly is it? If you’re interested in learning more about perfume, discover the three characteristics of eu de toilettes below. 

Eu De Toilette: A Brief Definition

Eu de toilette, often referred to as EDT, translates to “water of the toilet” in French. That doesn’t sound especially pleasant, but eu de toilettes are actually lightly scented perfumes that come in a wide variety of scents. It’s essentially scented water, with eu de toilettes using a mix of perfume oils, alcohol, and water to create the finished product. 

Eu De Toilette Compared to Other Perfume Types

To understand eu de toilette a little better, it helps to put it alongside the other popular perfume types: 

Eu De Cologne

Eu del colognes contain around 2-4% concentration of perfume oil and tend to last between 2-3 hours, meaning you must reapply it routinely. 

Eu De Toilette

An eu de toilette contains a 5-15% concentration of perfume and can last anywhere up to eight hours. 

Eu De Parfum

Eu de parfum has more strength, with around 10-20% concentration of perfume oil. 

Parfum

The most potent perfume is parfum, which contains 20-30% (and sometimes 40%) perfume oil, lasting upwards of twelve hours. 

As you can see, eu de toilette is on the weaker end but still has more strength than an eu de cologne. It’s fragrant and scented but lightly so, giving the wearer some longevity without it lasting multiple days. 

Why Does Perfume Oil Get Mixed with Water?

You might wonder why the perfume oil gets mixed with water to begin with. Wouldn’t purchasing pure perfume oil make more sense and be more efficient? Not necessarily – being mixed with water and alcohol actually changes the characteristics of the perfume. Plus, putting perfume oil directly onto the skin can often be too intense, making the mixture of an eu de toilette far more preferable. 

The 3 Characteristics of Eu De Toilette

A Light and Delicate Scent

Eu de toilettes often offer a light, delicate scent. As soon as you spritz it onto your wrist, you’ll smell the top, middle, and base notes of the perfume, but they won’t be too intense. They will then settle down into the skin, becoming more subtle as the day goes on but still smelling lovely.

Moderate Concentration

As mentioned, eu de toilettes have a concentration of 5-15% perfume oil. Compared to other perfumes, this offers a moderate concentration level, which works best for many people. Plus, there is a big difference between 5% and 15%, so you can even find some variety of concentrations within eu de toilettes themselves – it’s always worth looking at the exact percentage when browsing perfumes!

A Reasonable Lasting Time

While it is true that eu de toilettes typically will not last as long as parfums, they still last a reasonable amount of time – between three and eight hours, depending on the exact perfume (some have better lasting powers than others). This works well for people who want a scent for their workday and then to change it up come the evening. Plus, you can always carry a small bottle with you to top up the scent halfway through the day; that way, the eu de toilette’s scent will last from dawn until dusk. 

In terms of exact scent, that changes depending on the exact perfume. Eu de toilettes can vary as much as parfums and eu de colognes – you can find a mix of floral, citrus, fruity, woody, and unisex EDTs! Some of the best perfumes for women come in the form of eu de toilettes. 

Should You Get an Eu De Toilette Perfume?

You may struggle when deciding the type of perfume you want to buy. Is eu de toilette or eu de parfum better? What about parfum? Here are some situations where an eu de toilette makes the most sense:

When Buying a Fragrance for Work

Most workplaces do not appreciate extremely strong scents. Sure – a nice perfume will often be appreciated and receive compliments, but you don’t want to be a walking perfume shop! If you don’t want to overwhelm your co-workers, an eu de toilette often makes a more appropriate buy compared to a parfum. Just a couple of spritzes, and you are ready to go. 

When Trying Out a New Scent

If you are trying out a new scent and it comes in a couple of versions, choose the eu de toilette one. While the parfum version may last longer, that might not be a good thing! The eu de toilette will offer a lighter, fresher scent that doesn’t last too long. That way, if you realize the scent is not for you, it won’t stick to your skin for multiple days the same way a parfum might. 

When Looking for Something Light

You might want a light perfume for many reasons. Perhaps you live with someone with a sensitive nose, or maybe you don’t like to be the center of attention – instead, you would like to smell good to the people you let get close to you.

What Eu De Toilette Perfume Should You Get?

There are many EDTs out there, making it hard to find the right one. Here are some we recommend: 

• Jimmy Choo L'Eau 3.0 oz EDT for Women
• Guess Seductive Flirt EDT For Women
• Lacoste Red EDT For Men
• Mr. Burberry EDT For Men
• Versace Bright Crystal 3.0 EDT For Women
• Lacoste Essential 4.2 EDT For Men

As you can see, there is a wide range of EDTs for both men and women, each with its own blend of top, middle, and bottom notes to create a unique and wonderful scent. Why not try some out? You may find your signature scent in a light and fresh EDT!

What is Eu De Toilette: In Summary

An eu de toilette offers a subtle scent thanks to its moderate concentration percentage. If you’re looking for a light perfume that lasts reasonably well, you can’t go too wrong with an EDT. Plus, there are so many to choose from!