All you need to know about Eau de Parfum

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

It is often favoured 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, crook of the elbow or wrist, behind the ear) to last throughout the day.

An eau de parfum is a composition of three aromatic notes: a top note, a heart note, and a base note. This is referred to as an olfactory pyramid. While all these notes contribute to the creation of a fragrance, the heart and base notes are the ones that linger the most on the skin and clothes throughout the day. When choosing your eau de parfum, consider your scent preferences. It's worth noting that aromatic notes are divided into several categories, namely:

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

● The green notes, fresh, reminiscent of a spring-like 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 characterised 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 eau de parfum, 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 various odours. They can have a slight floral smell, accompanied by a spicy scent. This is the case with vanilla essence, tonka bean, etc.

The eau de parfum contains odorous substances that can be photosensitising. 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 favour natural ingredients to limit the risk of skin irritations.