Browse any perfume shop and you will see the same fragrance names followed by different labels: Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, Extrait de Parfum. These terms describe how concentrated the perfume is, and that affects how it wears on your skin. Here is a clear guide to the difference between Extrait de Parfum and Eau de Parfum, with examples from our own shelves to help you choose.
What does perfume concentration mean?
Every perfume is a blend of aromatic compounds, often called perfume oil, diluted in a carrier, usually alcohol. The concentration is the proportion of perfume oil in the bottle. There is no single legal standard, and each house sets its own formulas, but the typical ranges are:
- Eau de Toilette (EDT): roughly 5–15% perfume oil. Lighter and brighter.
- Eau de Parfum (EDP): roughly 15–20% perfume oil. The most popular choice, with a good balance of presence and longevity.
- Extrait de Parfum: roughly 20–40% perfume oil. The richest and most concentrated form.
Eau de Parfum: the versatile all-rounder
Eau de Parfum is the most common concentration in Arabic perfumery and in our range. It has enough perfume oil to give a noticeable scent trail and good staying power, while the higher proportion of alcohol helps the fragrance project and open up when first sprayed. That makes EDP easy to wear day to day and easy to adjust by adding or removing a spray.
Popular Eau de Parfum examples include:
- Lattafa Khamrah: a sweet blend of dates, lily of the valley and pralines.
- Lattafa Yara: sweet, vanilla and powdery notes with a tropical, fruity twist.
- Lattafa Asad: spicy black pepper, rich coffee and smoky notes.
- Anfar Secret Oud Private Edition: a sweet rose and oud with caramel.
- Bujairami Gladiator: a bold fruity woody scent with white peach, green apple, saffron, amber and sandalwood.
Extrait de Parfum: concentrated and close
Extrait de Parfum contains the highest proportion of perfume oil. Because there is less alcohol, it usually wears closer to the skin, with a softer projection but a longer life. Many people find extraits feel smoother and richer, and a little goes a long way. Extraits are a good choice when you want a fragrance to stay with you all day, or for special occasions where you want a personal, intimate scent rather than a big trail.
Bujairami, an Australian house based in Sydney, is known for its Arabian-inspired Extrait de Parfum. Examples in stock include:
- Bujairami Oud Money: a rich and resinous blend of oud and agarwood.
- Bujairami Next Level: grapefruit, ginger and ambroxan in a smooth, warm ambery blend.
- Bujairami Kingsman: a zesty scent built around bergamot and musk.
Other extraits worth exploring:
- Adyan Bara Coffee: a cosy café-style gourmand with espresso, vanilla and praline.
- Anfar Midnight Homme Intense: a spicy woody scent with nutmeg, cinnamon and sandalwood.
- Ahmed Al Maghribi Kaaf: a fruity unisex best seller built around red fruits.
Extrait vs EDP at a glance
- Concentration: EDP typically 15–20%; Extrait typically 20–40%.
- Projection: EDP tends to project more; Extrait tends to sit closer to the skin.
- Longevity: Extrait usually lasts longer, though the notes themselves matter too.
- Application: With an extrait, start with fewer sprays.
How to choose between them
Concentration is only part of the story. The ingredients matter just as much: heavier notes such as oud, amber, vanilla and resins naturally last longer than citrus or aquatic notes, whatever the concentration. A rich Eau de Parfum can outlast a fresh extrait. Choose an EDP if you want a versatile scent with presence that you can wear every day. Choose an extrait if you want a closer, longer-lasting fragrance, or something special for evenings.
Whichever you pick, apply to moisturised skin on pulse points and avoid rubbing your wrists together. Our guide on how to make your fragrance last all day has more tips, and you can combine concentrations using our advice on layering fragrances like a pro.
FAQs
Is Extrait de Parfum stronger than Eau de Parfum?
It is more concentrated, but that does not always mean louder. Extraits often sit closer to the skin and last longer, while EDPs can project more in the first hours.
Is the same perfume different in EDP and extrait?
Often, yes. Houses may adjust the formula between concentrations, so the balance of notes can differ as well as the strength.
How many sprays of an extrait should I use?
Start with one or two and see how it wears. You can always add more.
Where can I shop by brand?
Explore our Bujairami and Lattafa collections, or browse our best sellers.
Why buy from Century Scents?
Century Scents is an authorised UK distributor of Arabic and Middle Eastern perfumes, trusted by thousands of customers on TikTok Shop and online, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from over 3,600 reviews. Every fragrance is 100% authentic and dispatched from London, with free UK delivery on orders over £30 until 31 Dec 2026 and 30-day returns on unused, unopened items.
