| ✨Hey there! This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosures for more info. |
Quick answer: ylang ylang essential oil is steam distilled from the flowers of the tropical tree Cananga odorata. Producers often split the distillation into fractions sold as Extra, I, II and III, while “complete” oil comes from one uninterrupted distillation. It has a rich, sweet floral scent used widely in perfumery and relaxing aromatherapy blends. Ylang ylang is one of the essential oils most associated with allergic skin reactions, so use it at low dilutions, keep it fresh and stop if your skin reacts. Do not swallow it, and keep it away from children and pets.
Ylang ylang has one of the most recognizable scents in perfumery: heavy, sweet, creamy and floral. It is a staple of fine fragrance and a popular addition to relaxing aromatherapy blends. It is also unusual among essential oils because it is commonly sold in several “grades,” which can confuse first-time buyers. The sweet floral aroma is the first thing most people notice.
This guide explains where the oil comes from, what the grades mean, how people use it and the safety points that matter most. For an introduction to essential oils in general, see our essential oils guide.
Sources: Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition (Churchill Livingstone, 2014); Tisserand Institute, “Irritation and allergic reactions” safety page; International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standards library; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plants of the World Online (Cananga odorata); EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 fragrance allergen labeling. Checked October 2026. General information, not medical advice.
Where Ylang Ylang Comes From
Ylang ylang oil comes from Cananga odorata, a fast-growing tree in the custard apple family (Annonaceae). Kew’s Plants of the World Online lists its native range across tropical Asia and the western Pacific, including the Philippines, Indonesia and parts of Southeast Asia. The name “ylang ylang” is usually traced to the Philippines.
Its drooping, star-shaped flowers start green and turn yellow as they mature. The fragrance is strongest in fully yellow, mature blossoms, which are traditionally picked by hand, often early in the day. Pickers often gather the blossoms in the morning.
Today, much of the world’s ylang ylang essential oil is produced on islands in the western Indian Ocean, particularly the Comoros archipelago, Mayotte and the island of Nosy Be off Madagascar. The tree was introduced to these islands, where a perfume industry grew around it.
Ylang ylang vs cananga oil
A closely related oil sold as “cananga oil” also comes from Cananga odorata, but from a different form of the tree, traditionally produced in Indonesia. Cananga oil has a heavier, more leathery character and is generally less expensive. It is not interchangeable with ylang ylang in fine perfumery, so check the label.
What the Grades Mean
Ylang ylang is famous for fractional distillation. Instead of collecting all the oil at once, distillers draw off the oil in stages as the distillation continues over many hours. Each stage has a different scent and chemistry.
| Grade | When collected | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Extra (and Extra Superior) | First portion of the distillation | Most delicate and intensely floral; highest price |
| I (First) | Next portion | Floral, slightly less refined |
| II (Second) | Later portion | Heavier, less sweet |
| III (Third) | Final portion | Heaviest, most woody; lowest price |
| Complete | Uninterrupted distillation from start to finish | Rounded, contains the full range of compounds |
Early fractions are richer in lighter, more volatile compounds such as esters (including benzyl acetate) and linalool. Later fractions contain more heavier compounds known as sesquiterpenes. That is why Extra smells bright and floral while III smells deeper and woodier. Ylang Ylang III comes from the final portion of the distillation and smells the deepest and woodiest.
Which grade should you choose?
- Extra is the choice of perfumers who want the purest floral note. It is expensive and often unnecessary for home blends.
- Complete is the most common choice for aromatherapy, because it captures the whole scent profile.
- III is sometimes used in soap and scented products where cost matters more than refinement.
Grade names are not regulated the same way by every seller. A reputable supplier will tell you which grade you are buying and provide a batch GC/MS report showing the main constituents. If you take any medication, ask a health care professional about possible interactions, and do the same if you are nursing.
What Ylang Ylang Smells Like
Descriptions of ylang ylang often include:
- Sweet, heady and floral
- Creamy or custard-like
- Slightly fruity, sometimes compared to banana or jasmine
- Faintly spicy or medicinal in some batches
The scent is powerful. Many people find a single drop is enough to dominate a blend, and some find the aroma overwhelming or headache-inducing at high concentrations. Using less usually gives a better result.
How Ylang Ylang Is Used
In perfumery
Ylang ylang is a classic “heart note” in perfumes, especially in floral and oriental fragrances. Perfumers value its ability to add warmth and fullness to blends of jasmine, rose and tuberose. Perfumers treat it as one of several floral ingredients in a blend rather than a standalone scent.
In aromatherapy blends
In aromatherapy, ylang ylang is mostly used for its pleasant, relaxing scent in diffuser blends, massage oil and bath blends. Some small studies have looked at inhaled ylang ylang and measures such as relaxation or heart rate, but the evidence is limited and not strong enough to support health claims. It is best treated as an enjoyable scent rather than a treatment. Because the evidence is limited, effects on stress, anxiety or blood pressure should not be assumed.
In hair and skincare
Ylang ylang appears in shampoos, conditioners, lotions and soaps for its fragrance. Because of its allergy profile (see below), it is generally a better fit for rinse-off products and well-diluted leave-on blends than for strong, frequent skin applications. Their properties and ingredient lists vary, so check each label. Some people look to a calming scent for stress relief, but ylang ylang is not a proven treatment.
Blending With Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang pairs well with:
- Citrus oils such as sweet orange, bergamot (bergaptene-free for skin) and grapefruit, which lighten its heaviness
- Floral oils such as lavender and geranium
- Woody oils such as sandalwood and cedarwood
- Resins such as frankincense and benzoin
A practical starting rule is to use far less ylang ylang than the other oils in a blend. For example, a diffuser blend might use one drop of ylang ylang with several drops of a citrus oil. Our comparison of diffuser types explains how much oil different devices need.
Safety: Why Ylang Ylang Needs Care
Skin allergy risk
Ylang ylang is one of the essential oils most commonly linked to allergic skin reactions. The Tisserand Institute names it alongside cinnamon bark and lemongrass as oils more prone to causing allergic reactions than most. Essential Oil Safety by Tisserand and Young sets a maximum dermal use level for ylang ylang to reduce the risk of sensitization, and the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) has a standard restricting how much ylang ylang extract can be used in fragrance products.
Several of its constituents, including linalool, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, geraniol and isoeugenol in some batches, are listed fragrance allergens under the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Allergic reactions usually develop after repeated exposure, so you may use the oil for some time before reacting.
To lower the risk:
- Always dilute and keep ylang ylang to a small share of any skin blend. Our essential oil dilution chart covers general percentages; ylang ylang belongs at the lower end.
- Use a plain carrier. Jojoba and fractionated coconut oil are common choices; see our carrier oil comparison.
- Avoid daily, long-term use of the same ylang ylang blend on skin.
- Keep the oil fresh. Oxidation can increase the allergy risk of some constituents.
- Skip it on damaged or eczema-prone skin, which is more prone to reactions.
- Stop immediately if you notice redness, itching or a rash.
Other precautions
- Do not swallow ylang ylang or any essential oil.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: talk to your doctor or midwife before using essential oils.
- Children: use lower dilutions and talk to your pediatrician first.
- Pets: cats are especially sensitive to essential oils. Keep diffusers out of rooms where pets cannot leave, and see our guide to essential oils and pets.
- Strong scent: if the aroma triggers headaches or nausea, ventilate the room and use less.
If you react
Stop using the oil, wipe the area with a plain carrier oil and wash gently with mild soap and water. Contact your doctor if a rash is severe or does not improve. Call 911 for swelling of the lips, tongue or throat or trouble breathing. For accidental swallowing or eye exposure, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. If you have a medical condition, ask a health care practitioner before using any essential oil. Keep it away from the eyes and mucous membranes.
Simple Ways to Use Ylang Ylang at Home
A common aromatherapy rule of thumb is that a 1 percent dilution is roughly 5 to 6 drops of essential oil per fluid ounce (about 30 ml) of carrier oil. Drop sizes vary, so treat these as approximate starting points rather than exact recipes.
Diffuser blend
Combine one drop of ylang ylang with three or four drops of a citrus oil such as sweet orange, plus a drop of lavender if you like. Follow your diffuser’s instructions for water level and run it for short periods in a ventilated room.
Massage oil
Because of the allergy risk, keep ylang ylang to a small part of the total essential oil in a massage blend. For example, a 1 percent blend in one ounce of carrier might use one drop of ylang ylang with four or five drops of gentler oils. Apply to a small area first and watch for any reaction.
Bath blend
Never drop ylang ylang straight into bath water. Mix one drop into a tablespoon of carrier oil or unscented liquid soap first, then swirl it into the tub.
Linen or room spray
Essential oils do not dissolve in plain water. Commercial sprays use solubilizers or alcohol to disperse them. If you make your own, shake well before each use and avoid spraying near pets or directly onto skin.
Common Mistakes With Ylang Ylang
- Using too much. Its strong scent can overwhelm a blend and is more likely to cause headaches or skin problems at higher amounts.
- Assuming “Extra” is safer. Grade affects scent and price, not allergy risk. Every grade contains allergenic constituents.
- Applying it daily for months. Long-term, frequent use raises the chance of developing an allergy.
- Storing it in a warm bathroom. Heat and light speed oxidation.
- Buying the cheapest bottle. Unusually low prices often point to dilution or adulteration.
Buying Quality Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang is sometimes stretched with cheaper oils or synthetic fragrance compounds, especially in lower-priced “Extra” grades. When buying: Choose a bottle with a child proof cap if children live in your home.
- Look for the botanical name, Cananga odorata, and the grade on the label
- Check the country of origin, such as the Comoros or Madagascar
- Ask for a batch-specific GC/MS report
- Be wary of “Extra” priced like “III”
- Buy small bottles, since a little goes a long way and fresher oil is safer
Storage and Shelf Life
Store ylang ylang in a dark glass bottle with a tight cap, away from heat and sunlight. Move it into a smaller bottle as you use it to reduce air in the bottle. Floral oils like ylang ylang generally keep longer than citrus oils, but any oil that smells sharp, sour or noticeably different from when you bought it should be discarded.
Ylang Ylang at a Glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Cananga odorata |
| Plant part | Flowers |
| Extraction | Steam distillation, often fractional |
| Grades | Extra, I, II, III, complete |
| Scent | Sweet, heavy, creamy, floral |
| Main uses | Perfumery, relaxing blends, hair and skin products |
| Key caution | Skin allergy; use at low dilution |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ylang ylang essential oil used for?
It is used mainly for its sweet floral scent in perfumes, relaxing diffuser and massage blends and hair and skin products. Evidence for health benefits is limited.
What is the difference between ylang ylang Extra and complete?
Extra is the first fraction collected during distillation and is the most delicate and floral. Complete comes from one uninterrupted distillation and contains the full range of compounds.
Is ylang ylang safe for skin?
It can be used on skin when well diluted, but it is one of the essential oils most associated with allergic reactions. Keep dilutions low, avoid long-term daily use and stop if your skin reacts.
Can I diffuse ylang ylang around pets?
Use caution. Cats in particular are sensitive to essential oils. Diffuse only briefly in ventilated rooms and make sure pets can leave the area.
Is cananga oil the same as ylang ylang?
No. Both come from Cananga odorata, but cananga oil comes from a different form of the tree, mainly in Indonesia, and has a heavier, more leathery scent.
