What Is Men's Perfume Called in the UK?
Ask for men's perfume at a British fragrance counter and you may well be pointed towards the aftershave shelf. In the UK, men's perfume is most commonly called aftershave, even when the bottle has nothing to do with shaving. You will also hear it called cologne, men's fragrance or simply men's perfume, and all of these words can describe the same product.
The confusion is understandable, because everyday language and the wording on the box often disagree. A bottle a British shopper calls aftershave may be labelled eau de parfum, and a gift bought as cologne may be nothing of the sort. Knowing what each word really means helps you buy the right strength and get better value for your money.
Why British Men Say "Aftershave"
The habit comes from the bathroom shelf. Traditional aftershaves were alcohol-based splashes that helped to protect skin from the nicks left by blunt razors. They were often scented with notes such as sandalwood, cedarwood or lime, so one quick splash also gave a man his fragrance for the day.
For many households, that bottle was the only scent a man owned, and the name stayed with it. Even as men moved on to stronger sprays, the word carried over. It is still used loosely today for almost any fragrance a British man wears, which explains why it remains such a common Christmas and Father's Day gift request.
What Aftershave Really Means
Strictly speaking, aftershave is a grooming product rather than a perfume. It is applied to freshly shaved skin to refresh and soothe it, and it holds only a small amount of fragrance oil. Modern versions often come as gentle balms or lotions, and their scent is usually kept light so it will not clash with whatever you wear afterwards.
Where the Word "Cologne" Comes From
Cologne has a very different story. In 1709, the Italian perfumer Giovanni Maria Farina created a fresh, citrus-led scent in the German city of Cologne, and it became known as eau de cologne, or "water from Cologne". The name then spread until it became a general word for light fragrance.
In the United States, cologne is now the usual everyday word for men's fragrance, and British shoppers have picked it up too. On a label, though, it describes a light strength rather than a gender, so anyone can wear it.
Other Names You Will See on the Label
- Men's fragrance: the broad, neutral term used by most retailers.
- Pour homme: French for "for men", often printed on the bottle.
- Eau de toilette (EDT): a lighter everyday strength.
- Eau de parfum (EDP): a stronger, longer-lasting strength.
- Attar or perfume oil: a concentrated oil, popular in Arabian perfumery.
Whatever you call it, the name on the shelf tells you far less than the strength on the label. You can compare the options in our men's perfumes collection, and the next section explains exactly how each type differs.
