What’s the difference between aftershave, Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum?
Although all three of these things are all used interchangeably, they officially all mean different things and so will all give you different results!
Traditionally, aftershave was exactly as it sounds, an antiseptic alcohol that could help disinfect cuts and reduce irritated skin post-shave. However, these days in the UK, aftershave is a term now commonly used to describe men’s cologne/perfume instead.
Proper aftershave will contain less perfume oil than cologne and its focus is on soothing the skin rather than providing a long-lasting aroma, usually containing anti-inflammatory ingredients such as aloe vera.
Most men’s aftershave now though is split into two categories: Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum.
These are your classic colognes which are purely concentrated on providing you with a unique and pleasant fragrance.
Eau de Toilettes contain more perfume oil than classic aftershave and aren’t actually suitable for after shaving, as the added oil will probably cause blotchiness and irritation on your newly sensitive skin. Their smell lasts around six to eight hours and so they are a good choice for a day scent or evening wear.
Eau de Parfums are much stronger with an even higher concentration of perfume oil. These will last a whole day, are very strong smelling and often more expensive than Eau de Toilettes.
Can aftershave expire?
Unfortunately, you can’t just keep a bottle of cologne lying around forever and eventually, the scent will go off.
How quickly this happens depends on the quality of the product itself, with some lasting as long as a decade and others just one pitiful year!
In general, aftershaves with the heaviest base notes tend to last the longest, with wood-based and oriental scents surviving longest. Base notes of citrus and floral origin last a much shorter amount of time.
Some aftershaves will come with an expiry date while others you will just have to keep an eye on after a year or two. Signs your fragrance is on the way out are a change in colour, less potent smell or vinegar-like scent.
To keep your aftershave fresher for longer, always store correctly, with the lid securely on and in a cool, dry place. Avoid placing in bathrooms where humidity and rising and falling temperatures are all too common. Also, avoid placing on a windowsill where the sun could spoil it very quickly!
Where to spray aftershave?
You’ll often see people spraying their perfumes in all sorts of places, but which ones are actually effective in enhancing your chosen scent?
Wrists and under the neck/pulse points tend to be most popular, however, some men also apply to their inner elbows, behind the ears and the chest.
Any exposed areas on your body that give off high amounts of heat are best, as the fragrance will react with this heat and continue to release the scent.