Attar vs eau de parfum vs extrait: what is the difference?

Concentration in plain words

Every perfume is fragrance oil diluted in something, usually alcohol. The more oil in the mix, the richer the scent tends to be and the closer it sits to the skin. These are general industry ranges, not exact figures for any bottle. Eau de toilette holds the least, around 5 to 15 percent. Eau de parfum comes next at about 15 to 20 percent. Extrait de parfum holds more, often 20 percent and up. An attar is nearly all oil.

Attars: oils without alcohol

An attar, also written ittar, is a perfume oil. It is traditionally made by capturing natural materials in a carrier oil such as sandalwood, and it contains no alcohol. You apply a tiny dab to the wrist, neck or clothes. Because there is no alcohol to evaporate, an attar stays on the skin and changes slowly, and it usually sits close to you rather than filling a room. Modern products sold as attar or perfume oil vary, so read the label.

Eau de parfum: the everyday workhorse

Eau de parfum is the most common strength in a shop. It is lighter than an extrait, sprays in a fine mist and suits daily wear. In the FAAN range, eight bottles are Eau de Parfum, such as Qasida Signature, which is rated 3 for projection and 4 for longevity. Three sprays is a normal amount.

Extrait: more oil, fewer sprays

Extrait de parfum, also called simply parfum, holds the highest oil share of the sprays. It generally sits closer to the skin, lasts longer and needs fewer sprays. In the FAAN range, six bottles are Extraits, such as Amjad Honour, rated 4 for projection and 5 for longevity. Two sprays is plenty. The concentration is only one factor, though. Amjad Coral is an Extrait rated 3 and 3, because its notes are light. Our article on what extrait de parfum is goes deeper.

What FAAN sells and what it does not

The FAAN range we list is sprays only. We do not sell attars or perfume oils. Every bottle is 200 ml, listed as either Eau de Parfum or Extrait de Parfum on its product page. The Qasida line is mostly Eau de Parfum and the Amjad line is Extrait, plus Qasida Bidaya. If you are looking for a perfume oil to dab, this is not the shop. If you want a spray with Arabic-style notes such as oud, amber and saffron, it is. The notes in each bottle are on its page, and the Qasida and Amjad meanings explain the names.

Which should you pick?

• Want a scent that sits close and lasts: an attar or an extrait.
• Want an easy daily spray: an eau de parfum.
• Want the best value per hour: compare the ratings, not just the label. Amjad Honour at €44.99 is an Extrait rated 5 for longevity, while a €54.99 Eau de Parfum such as Signature is rated 4.

You can browse all FAAN perfumes and sort them by line.

FAQ

Is attar stronger than eau de parfum?

It holds more oil, but it does not project like a spray. It sits closer.

Does attar contain alcohol?

Traditionally not. Modern products differ, so check the label.

Does FAAN sell attar?

No. We sell Eau de Parfum and Extrait de Parfum sprays in 200 ml.

Related reading

• What is extrait de parfum? Strength, price and how to wear it
• What do Qasida and Amjad mean?
• What does "inspired by" mean in perfume?