Body Sprays vs. Perfumes: What’s the Difference?

Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, body sprays and perfumes are not the same. While at first glance, the differences between them may seem negligible, if you accidentally buy the wrong thing, you certainly won’t get what you paid for. To clear the air, read on to learn the differences between body sprays and perfumes.

What Are Body Sprays?

As the name indicates, body sprays are typically applied directly to the body; this is because the scent of body sprays is usually very mild and won’t overwhelm the senses. Additionally, the concentration of fragrance oils in comparison to the water and alcohol content is very low, which allows the scent to be milder. Body sprays are also best used when reapplied in increments throughout the day, as the scent does not last very long. Overall, the scent of a body spray blends better with a person’s natural scent, much like a scented body wash.

What Are Perfumes?

Perfumes have a high ratio of fragrance oil when compared to the water and alcohol content of the product and can also be applied directly to the body. Perfumes also have a few subcategories, including parfums, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne. Parfum has the highest ratio of fragrance, making up about 20 to 30 percent of the product, and lasts up to eight hours. Eau de toilette will last up to three hours, with the fragrance concentration making up about 5 to 15 percent of the product. Lastly, eau de cologne has the lowest concentration of the three, making up 2 to 4 percent of the product, and only lasting about two to three hours.

What Are the Differences Between Them?

When compared to any type of perfume, body sprays have the lowest concentration of fragrance oils. Additionally, you can apply body spray on much larger areas of the body than perfumes because the scent is so mild. Because of the low concentration of fragrance oils, body sprays are also more affordable and accessible, especially in terms of daily use. With body spray, you’re much less likely to overspray yourself and smell too strong, but with perfume, you get the amount of scent you pay for.

Now that you know the differences between body sprays and perfumes, you can make better and more informed decisions about the cosmetics you choose to buy. And if you’re looking for a body spray that will help you smell fresh but won’t break the bank, we have you covered. Check out our Lavender Body & Linen Spray that can be applied to the skin, as it is highly natural, and gentle on skin. Otherwise, we recommend our face spray/toner category, which promotes the natural process of exfoliation and the shedding of dead skin cells.