Fragrance is a complex mix of more than 3,500 chemicals that give personal care, cleaning and other products their unique smell. But those chemicals, some of which are toxic to humans, can also cause a range of health harms. And manufacturers aren’t required to disclose any of those ingredients—which is why you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that “fragrance” on a product label can mean just about anything.
In the colloquial layman’s parlance, perfume is any fragrance for women and cologne is any men’s fragrance. But for serious perfume lovers and perfumistas, there are more precise distinctions. From weakest to strongest, fragrances are categorized as aftershave, cologne, eau de toilette and parfum. Colognes typically contain 3-4% perfume oil, eau de toilettes are the next level up at 5-8% and parfum is the strongest with 20-25%.
Top notes are the initial impression of a perfume and are made up of light molecules that evaporate quickly, usually 5-30 minutes after application. Middle notes are the body of a perfume and can include flowers, fruits or herbs. Finally, base notes are the lasting impression a perfume leaves behind on the skin and can include musk, sandalwood or jasmine.
Finding a signature scent isn’t an easy task, and perfumes can smell different on each person depending on their skin type and chemistry with the fragrance. But you can make the process easier by using a perfume subscription service that lets you try several to find your ideal fragrance. Then, once you’ve found your favorite, use it daily and wear it proudly.