The Concentration Scale
| Type | Oil % | Longevity | Projection | Price Indicator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parfum / Extrait | 20-40% | 8-12+ hours | Strong | £150-500+ |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | 15-30% | 6-10 hours | Moderate-Strong | £60-250 |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | 5-15% | 3-5 hours | Moderate | £30-120 |
| Eau de Cologne (EDC) | 2-5% | 1-3 hours | Light | £20-60 |
| Body Mist / Splash | 1-3% | 1-2 hours | Very Light | £5-25 |
Why This Matters for Inspired-By Fragrances
Oil concentration is the single most important factor when evaluating an inspired-by fragrance. A designer original like Baccarat Rouge 540 is formulated as an EDP at approximately 15-25% oil. If an inspired-by version uses only 10% oil (EDT grade), it will:
- Smell noticeably different (base notes are underrepresented at low concentrations)
- Fade in 2-3 hours instead of 6-10
- Project less (others will not smell it from a normal social distance)
- Give you a poor impression of what the original actually smells like
This is why cheap dupes at £3-10 disappoint. The concentration is too low to reproduce the scent profile accurately. The Fragrance World formulates at 22-30% specifically to avoid this problem.
How to Check What You Are Buying
Most brands do not disclose exact oil concentration. Red flags to watch for:
- “EDT” on the label when the designer original is EDP. This means a lower-quality match.
- No concentration stated. If a brand does not tell you, assume it is EDT or lower.
- Price under £10 for 100ml. At this price point, the oil concentration is almost certainly below 15%.
- “Long lasting” claims without specifics. Trustworthy brands state the actual oil percentage.
The Fragrance World Standard
Every fragrance we make is formulated at 22-30% oil concentration. This is not marketing. It is the formulation specification our perfumers work to. At this concentration:
- Top, heart, and base notes are all fully represented
- Longevity is 6-10 hours on skin, longer on fabric
- Projection is comparable to the designer EDP original
- The scent profile is as close to the original as the concentration allows
About This Guide
Written by The Fragrance World UK, Liverpool. 74 fragrances at 22-30% oil concentration. 226,000+ customers. 4.8 Trustpilot. Updated quarterly.