What is Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (First Grade)?

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil is extracted from the yellow, graceful flowers of the Ylang Ylang tree (Cananga Odorata). The tree originally comes from Indonesia but now grows in multiple tropical locations. Our Ylang Ylang First Grade comes from Madagascar, where the flowers grow in a beautiful tropical landscape. You can smell the sweet, exotic scent from quite a distance.

The name "Ylang Ylang" means "flower of flowers" in Tagalog, a reference to its full, luxurious scent. In the Philippines and parts of Indonesia, the oil is traditionally used in hair care and as a ceremonial fragrance. It is a classic ingredient in fine perfumery, including Chanel No. 5.

Ylang Ylang blends beautifully with citrus oils like bergamot, orange and grapefruit, with woody oils like sandalwood and cedarwood, and with other flowers like jasmine and rose.

How is Ylang Ylang Essential Oil made?

Ylang Ylang is obtained through steam distillation of the fresh flowers. What makes this oil special: the distillation is interrupted in phases, with a different quality of oil being tapped each time. The earlier in the process, the richer in esters and the sweeter, more floral the scent. The later in the process, the richer in sesquiterpenes.

The oil naturally contains linalool, geraniol, benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate and farnesol. These components are responsible for the rich, floral aroma and the calming properties on nervous system and skin.

What is the difference between the grades?

Ylang Ylang is sold in different grades, depending on when the oil is tapped during distillation. Each fraction has its own scent profile and composition.

Ylang Ylang Extra
The first 1 to 1.5 hours of distillation. Almost colorless, with the sweetest and most floral scent. Rich in esters, beloved in perfumery.

Ylang Ylang 1 (First Grade)
The next phase, after about 3 hours of distillation. Light yellow color, slightly less sweet than Extra, but still full and floral. Due to the high ester content, excellent for insomnia and for the nervous system.

Ylang Ylang 2
After about 5 hours of distillation. Light yellow color and slightly less sweet than Ylang Ylang 1. Higher sesquiterpene content, finer for skin and hair.

Ylang Ylang 3
After 10 to 20 hours of distillation. Yellow color, thicker in structure. Rich in sesquiterpenes, ideal in skin care.

Ylang Ylang Complete
10 to 20 hours of uninterrupted distillation, where all phases come together. Rich floral and fruity scent. Combines the properties of all grades.

This bottle contains Ylang Ylang 1 (First Grade), the phase with the highest ester content after Extra. An excellent choice for those seeking the floral, relaxing properties of Ylang Ylang.

Benefits of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Calms and relaxes
The rich floral scent calms the nervous system and is traditionally used for restlessness, tension and insomnia. An excellent choice for an evening ritual or a diffuser in the bedroom.

Sensual and connecting
Ylang Ylang is known for its sensual, stimulating character. In many cultures, the oil is associated with love and connection. An excellent choice in a massage oil or perfume.

Brings skin into balance
Due to its natural balancing effect, Ylang Ylang can be excellent for both dry and oily skin. The oil supports a healthy oil-moisture balance.

Cares for hair and scalp
Ylang Ylang has been used in hair care for centuries. The oil can help regulate the sebum production of the scalp, excellent for oily scalp.

Classic perfume oil
The full, sweet, floral scent is one of the classic heart notes in fine perfumery. An indispensable ingredient for a rich, sensual perfume.

How to use Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?

Always dilute essential oil in a carrier oil or butter when using on skin. For homemade skincare products, we recommend a working dosage of 1 percent (1 gram per 100 grams of product). Read the explanation below for more information. Suitable carriers are for example Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil or Shea Butter.

In a massage oil
Combine Ylang Ylang with a carrier oil of choice for a sensual, relaxing massage oil. Beautiful to combine with sandalwood and bergamot.

In a DIY perfume
Ylang Ylang is a classic heart note. Combine with citrus oils as top and wood or musk as base for a rich, layered perfume.

In a night care
Add a low dosage to a night cream or body lotion for soft skin and the calming effect.

In hair care
Add a few drops to your shampoo or conditioner for a lovely floral scent and supportive effect on the scalp.

In a diffuser
Put 3 to 5 drops in an aroma diffuser for a romantic, relaxing atmosphere. An excellent choice for the bedroom.

In a bath ritual
Mix 5 drops of Ylang Ylang with a tablespoon of carrier oil or 100 grams of epsom salt, and add to your bath water for a sensual relaxing moment.

Tips when using Ylang Ylang

• Store the oil in a cool, dark place to slow down oxidation.
• Always close the bottle tightly after use.
• Test first on a small patch of skin before using the oil for the first time.
• Always work with grams and percentages, not with drops. Drops vary in size and make it difficult to stay within safe limits.
• Ylang Ylang has a strong, full scent. A little bit is often enough, too much can quickly overpower in a blend or even cause headaches in sensitive noses.

Precautions and side effects

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil is not phototoxic and can therefore be used without restriction before sunlight exposure. The oil is generally well tolerated by the skin, but always use diluted, never pure on the skin.

Our practical working dosage: 1 percent
For homemade skincare products, we recommend a dosage of 1 percent (1 gram per 100 grams of product). Ylang Ylang naturally contains allergens such as benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, linalool, geraniol, farnesol and benzyl acetate. When you combine multiple essential oils in one recipe, these allergens stack up and you can quickly exceed the legal allergen limits. A working dosage of 1 percent gives you room to use multiple oils in one recipe without exceeding those limits.

For products that you rinse off, such as soap, shower gel or shampoo, more generous maximums apply because the oil does not remain on the skin.

Not recommended for use during pregnancy without consultation with an expert. Keep out of reach of children. When in doubt or with sensitive skin, always test first on a small spot and wait 24 hours before using on larger areas. Ylang Ylang can cause headaches or nausea at high doses, also when vaporized in a diffuser. Therefore always use in moderate amounts.