Eau de Cologne
Also known as: EDC, Cologne
A light fragrance-concentration category, abbreviated EDC, commonly described around 2–4%. Cologne can also refer to a citrus-led style or, in everyday English, men’s fragrance.
Eau de Cologne, or EDC, appears in concentration guides as a light format. The Perfume Shop and Perfume Society both give a 2–4% reference range. That is category guidance; a maker’s own product information is the place to check a disclosed percentage.
The term has a historical connection to the city of Cologne. Farina dates its Original Eau de Cologne to Johann Maria Farina’s creation there in 1709. Its current description emphasizes bergamot and other citrus notes with flowers, musk and amber.
In everyday English, cologne can mean a men’s fragrance even when the bottle is labelled Eau de Toilette or Eau de Parfum. A citrus-led cologne style and an EDC concentration are also different pieces of information. Read the full product name and format when comparing bottles.
If you enjoy a bright citrus opening, start with a sample of that style. Notice how it develops and whether its later presence suits your routine before choosing a bottle size.
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Perfume Strengths: 5 Levels Explained
Perfume strengths explained: compare Parfum, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Cologne and Eau Fraiche, with practical advice on concentration and skin sensitivity.
What Does Cologne Mean?
Cologne takes its name from the German city. Understand Eau de Cologne as a scent style or concentration, and cologne as an everyday word for fragrance.