Ylang-Ylang E.O

Natural essential oil

Outfit: Heart (with extension towards the bottom)

Olfactory family: Floral / White flower

Olfactory facets: Opulent floral, sunny, creamy, fruity, slightly spicy, exotic, milky

Mobile to slightly viscous, clear liquid, generally pale yellow to golden yellow.

Ylang-ylang essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the flowers of Cananga odorata, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. In perfumery, it is an opulent and radiant flower: its olfactory profile is intensely floral, creamy, and slightly exotic, with fruity, spicy, sometimes banana-like facets, and a soft, almost milky base. It immediately brings warmth, sensuality, and luminosity to a composition.

A bit of history

Introduced to Europe in the 19th century, ylang-ylang quickly captivated perfumers with its exotic character and floral intensity. Widely used in classic florals and "solar" fragrances, it became a cornerstone of floral-oriental accords and perfumes evoking islands, sun-warmed skin, and tropical white flowers. Different fractions (extra, first, second, third) allow perfumers to modulate its profile, from the most luminous and volatile to the creamiest and richest.

Its role in a perfume

Ylang-ylang essential oil is primarily used as a heart note, playing a structuring role in many floral fragrances:

• It brings an opulent and sunny floral quality , more exotic and sensual than many other flowers.

• It enriches floral bouquets, adding volume, creaminess and a touch of exoticism.

• It serves as a bridge between the bright top notes (citrus, aldehydes) and the amber or woody base notes.

• In small doses, it adds a subtle creamy sweetness; in larger doses, it becomes a true “character” of the fragrance.

It can be found in both classic florals and niche creations that explore tropical, solar or sensual accords.

Agreements and associations

Ylang-ylang essential oil pairs particularly well with:

• Other white flowers (jasmine, tuberose, orange blossom) are used for powerful, sensual and highly textured bouquets.

• Citrus and aldehydes , which highlight its brightness and give it radiance in the top notes.

• The amber and vanilla notes , with which it composes warm and enveloping, very sensual bases.

• The soft woods (sandalwood, creamy cedar), which enhance its milky and “skin-to-skin” appearance.

• The sunny and coconut notes , in accords that evoke the beach, monoi oils and sun-warmed skin.

It is particularly appreciated in perfumes that seek to express sensual femininity, tropical warmth, or rich floral elegance.

Sensation on the skin

On the skin, Ylang-ylang essential oil unfolds a warm, enveloping, and slightly creamy floral sensation, like a bouquet of sun-drenched yellow flowers. The first few minutes reveal a rich, almost heady floral note, followed by the development of softer, fruity, and milky nuances, sometimes with a hint of spice. It's an ingredient that lends the fragrance a sensual, tactile, almost caressing dimension.