Splash or aftershave-style colognes and body mists typically sit at the lightest end, often below 3 percent fragrance oil, followed by eau fraiche and eau de cologne, both noticeably lighter than the eau de toilette and eau de parfum most people are familiar with.

The Concentration Ladder from Lightest to Strongest

  • Body mist or eau fraiche: often around 1 to 3 percent fragrance oil
  • Eau de cologne: typically around 2 to 5 percent
  • Eau de toilette: usually around 5 to 15 percent
  • Eau de parfum: generally around 15 to 20 percent
  • Parfum or extrait: typically 20 to 30 percent, the strongest widely available tier

Why You Might Choose the Lightest Option

A lighter concentration suits hot weather, sensitive skin, or anyone who simply prefers a subtle, close-to-skin scent that needs reapplying through the day rather than one heavy application. Body mists in particular are often designed to be reapplied freely throughout the day, since their light concentration means they were never intended to last from morning until night on their own. Our guide to perfume concentrations covers every tier in full, and our complete guide to perfume has more on choosing the right strength.