Few scents are as captivating as ylang ylang. Rich, sweet and intensely floral, it's one of the most luxurious oils in perfumery - and one of the loveliest to have in your collection. If you're wondering what ylang ylang is good for and how to use it, here's our honest, practical guide.
A quick note first: we write about ylang ylang as an aromatherapy, fragrance and skincare oil - a beautiful scent to enjoy - not as a medicine. Essential oils aren't a treatment for any health condition, and nothing here is medical advice.
What is ylang ylang essential oil?
Ylang ylang (pronounced "ee-lang ee-lang") is steam-distilled from the star-shaped yellow flowers of the Cananga odorata tree, native to tropical regions including the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. Its name comes from a Tagalog word often taken to mean "flower of flowers" - fitting for such a heady floral.
It has a long, romantic history: in Indonesia, ylang ylang flowers have traditionally been scattered on the beds of newlyweds. Today it's treasured mostly for its scent - it's a key note in some of the world's most famous perfumes, including Chanel No. 5.
What does ylang ylang smell like?
Ylang ylang is deeply floral - rich, sweet and a little exotic, with soft fruity and creamy facets and a warm, almost banana-and-jasmine sweetness. It's a powerful, sensual scent that reads as luxurious and romantic. It sits in the floral scent family, and because it's so potent, a single drop goes a long way.
Ylang ylang for skin and hair
Alongside its scent, ylang ylang has a long history in natural beauty - it's a classic ingredient in skincare and haircare, valued for how it makes skin and hair look and feel. Used properly (always well diluted), many people enjoy it as part of a simple beauty routine.
People reach for ylang ylang in beauty to:
- bring a luxurious, spa-like feel to a skincare ritual
- help hair look shiny and glossy
- add a beautiful floral scent to homemade beauty blends
How to use it: ylang ylang is potent and can be sensitising, so keep dilution low - no more than about 0.8% for skin (roughly 2–3 drops per tablespoon of a carrier oil such as jojoba). For hair, a drop or two mixed into your usual conditioner adds scent and shine. Always patch-test on your inner arm first and wait 24–48 hours, as ylang ylang is a known potential skin sensitiser.
Uses for ylang ylang around the home
1. Diffuse it for a calm, sweet-floral atmosphere
The simplest way to enjoy ylang ylang is in a diffuser. Its rich floral scent is soothing and indulgent - lovely in the evening to help a room feel calm and unhurried. Because it's so strong, start with just 2–3 drops in your ultrasonic diffuser and add more only if you'd like.
2. A romantic scent for the bedroom
Given its long association with romance, ylang ylang is a natural choice for a warm, sensual atmosphere. Diffuse it in the bedroom, or blend a couple of drops into a carrier oil for a beautifully scented massage oil.
3. A calming wind-down before bed
Ylang ylang's soft, heady sweetness is lovely as part of an evening routine. Diffuse it - gorgeous blended with a little lavender - in the half-hour before bed to help the room feel calm and restful as you unwind.
4. A little everyday luxury
Sometimes you just want a room to feel special. A drop or two of ylang ylang, on its own or brightened with citrus, turns an ordinary evening into something that feels like a spa - rich, floral and indulgent.
What does ylang ylang blend well with?
Ylang ylang has a powerful, sweet floral scent that pairs beautifully with many oils - just use it sparingly (1–2 drops is usually plenty, as too much can be overwhelming):
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To brighten its sweetness: sweet orange, bergamot, grapefruit, lemon
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For a layered floral blend: lavender, geranium
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For grounding depth: cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense
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For a warm, exotic blend: a touch of clove or cinnamon
For ready-made ideas, our guide to DIY essential oil blends has 15 diffuser recipes to try.
Ylang ylang grades explained
You may see ylang ylang sold in different grades, which come from different stages of the distillation:
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Ylang Ylang Extra: the first fraction of the distillation - the richest, sweetest scent, most prized in perfumery.
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Ylang Ylang I, II, III: later fractions, each a little lighter in scent.
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Ylang Ylang Complete: a single, unbroken distillation capturing the full aromatic range - often preferred for aromatherapy because it's the most rounded, complete scent.
How to use ylang ylang essential oil
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Diffuser: 2–3 drops in an ultrasonic diffuser, in a well-ventilated room (it's strong - go easy).
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Skin: maximum ~0.8% dilution (2–3 drops per tablespoon of carrier); patch-test first.
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Hair: a drop or two in your conditioner for scent and shine.
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Massage oil: 3–4 drops in 20ml of sweet almond or jojoba carrier.
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Pulse points: well diluted, as a natural floral scent on the wrists.
Ylang ylang oil safety
Ylang ylang is beautiful but potent, so please use it carefully:
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It's a known potential skin sensitiser - always dilute well (no more than ~0.8% on skin), patch-test first, and don't use it on the skin daily for long stretches. Take breaks.
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Its strong scent can cause headaches or nausea in some people if overused - start with a drop or two and keep the room ventilated.
- Never swallow essential oils.
- Keep away from the eyes.
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding: check with your midwife or doctor first.
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Children: use lower dilutions and extra care, and check with a professional.
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Pets: many oils can be harmful to cats and dogs - if you diffuse, make sure pets can leave the room, and never apply to them.
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Store it well - cool, dark and sealed - to keep the scent fresh.
Choosing a quality ylang ylang oil
With a scent this rich, quality really shows. Look for 100% pure essential oil from a source you trust. Our pure essential oils are single, unadulterated oils, made and bottled here in Wellington.
Bring home that beautiful floral scent
Rich, sweet and romantic, ylang ylang is one of the most luxurious oils you can own - gorgeous in the diffuser, lovely in a beauty routine, and a stunning floral note in blends and natural perfume.
Browse our pure essential oils to add ylang ylang to your shelf, and pair it with one of our ultrasonic diffusers to fill your home with that beautiful floral scent.
This article is for general information about using ylang ylang as an aromatherapy, fragrance and skincare oil. It isn't medical advice, and essential oils aren't a treatment for any health condition. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, have a skin or health condition, or are using oils around children or pets, please check with a qualified professional first.
