These three terms get used loosely and interchangeably online, which causes real confusion when buying. Here is the actual distinction.
Attar
Attar is a broad, traditional term for a concentrated, oil-based perfume, historically distilled from botanical sources like rose or oud wood into a carrier oil. It is alcohol-free by definition and applied in small amounts directly to skin.
Oud Oil
Oud oil is a specific type of attar — the resin-rich oil distilled specifically from agarwood. It is one of the most expensive raw materials in perfumery due to scarcity and labour-intensive extraction, and is typically sold in very small quantities (3-12ml) compared to spray perfumes.
EDP (Eau de Parfum)
EDP is a spray format where fragrance oils are diluted in an alcohol base, typically at a 15-20% concentration. This is the format almost all Reef and Lattafa fragrances we stock use. Alcohol allows the scent to project and disperse in a way pure oils don’t.
Practical Differences That Matter When Buying
- Projection: EDP projects and fills a room; attars and oud oils stay closer to the skin
- Longevity: oil-based formats often last longer on skin, hour for hour, but don’t travel as far
- Alcohol content: only EDP (and EDT) contain alcohol; attars and oud oils don’t
- Price per ml: pure oud oil is usually the most expensive by a wide margin
Which Should You Buy?
If you want something that fills a room and works for daily wear at a reasonable price, EDP is the practical choice — which is what our full range is built around. If you specifically want an alcohol-free, close-to-skin format, that is a different product category to what we currently stock.
For more on EDP versus other spray concentrations, see our EDT vs EDP guide, or our beginner explainer on what oud actually is.
FAQ
Is attar the same as oud oil?
No — oud oil is one specific type of attar. Attar is the broader category of oil-based, alcohol-free perfumery.
Why is pure oud oil so expensive?
Genuine agarwood oud is scarce, slow to develop naturally, and labour-intensive to extract, which drives the price well above spray perfumes.
Can I convert an EDP into an oil-based scent?
No — they are made through entirely different processes and are not interchangeable.