Below are some of the main differences between perfume oils and spray perfumes to help understand perfume oils better:
Strength
Oils are generally much stronger as they are the purest form of fragrances.
Sprays usually are diluted with alcohol or water at various concentration levels such as; Parfum (20-30% oil concentration), eau de Parfum (15-20% oil concentration), eau de Toilette (5-15% oil concentration) and eau de Cologne (2-4% oil concentration).
Longevity
Oils can last up to 24 hours whereas, sprays can last anywhere between 2 to 8 hours depending on the level of perfume oil present in them.
Scent Endurance
Perfume oils don’t easily dissipate from your skin. They are activated by the heat of your skin, and radiate outward as your skin heats up. This is why they are applied on the pulse point; the warmer the skin, the more you smell the scent. Perfume oils don’t start out strong because it relies on the warmth of your skin and need time to activate.
Perfume sprays on the other hand, start out strong as they mix with the air, evaporating within a few hours. When the perfume spray is combined with the oxygen in the air, it dissipates because of the nature of the alcohol.
Application
Perfume oils are gently rubbed directly on the skin or clothing.
Perfume sprays are sprayed into the air before they land on you.
Control
It is much easier to control the amount of perfume oil to put on. You can put on as much or as little as you wish to, allowing for total control.
Perfume sprays have less control as they are sprayed into the air before being put on.
Skin Sensitivity
Since perfume oils do not contain any alcohol, they are generally safer for sensitive skin, and are less irritable to the skin.Because of the presence of alcohol and other fillers in sprays, using it on sensitive skin can cause an allergic reaction and leading to skin irritation.
Perception
Perfume oils are making a comeback within the younger consumers due to the key factor being its purity aspect – but since perfume sprays are more convenient to use, brands work more on the marketing and distribution of spray-based fragrances.
Sillage
Perfume oils “stay close to the skin” and are not overpowering; they radiate with the warmth of your skin leading to a minimal trail of scent around you – only occupying your personal space making you the primary recipient of its overpowering smell.
Perfume sprays often start out strong, and since they dissipate in the air around you after application, they usually have a larger trail, meaning people don’t have to be close to you to be able to smell your fragrance, which can be overpowering at times.
Price
Since perfume oils usual come in a roller bottle, you’re only paying for the perfume oil. They are usually cheaper than other perfume sprays, because they lack the status of designer alcohol perfume sprays.
Perfume sprays are more expensive, since you are also paying for the additives added, the box and the beautiful bottle in comes in, along with the brand name.