Ylang ylang essential oil is steam-distilled from the fresh flowers of the Cananga odorata tree, and it is sold in grades: Extra, I, II, III and Complete. Extra is the first, most delicate part of the distillation and is prized for perfume. The later grades are heavier, warmer and last longer, and Complete is the whole distillation in one oil. All of them are rich, sweet and floral, and all of them are strong, so a little goes a long way.
How ylang ylang oil is made
Ylang ylang flowers are picked by hand when they have turned fully yellow, traditionally early in the morning, and taken quickly to the still. Distillation is long, often lasting many hours. Instead of collecting all the oil at once, distillers draw it off in fractions as the process goes on. The earliest fraction holds the lightest, most fragrant molecules; later fractions hold heavier ones. That is where the grades come from.
The Comoros, Madagascar and Mayotte are known for ylang ylang oil, and the tree is also grown across Asia and the Pacific. For more on the tree itself, see the ylang ylang tree and flower.
Ylang ylang grades explained
| Grade | When it's collected | Scent and use |
|---|---|---|
| Extra (and Extra Superior) | First, earliest fraction | Brightest, most delicate and floral; used in fine perfume; most expensive |
| I (First) | Next fraction | Still floral, a bit richer |
| II (Second) | Middle | Warmer, heavier |
| III (Third) | Last fraction | Heaviest and longest-lasting; often used in soap and body care |
| Complete | Whole distillation, uninterrupted | A full, balanced ylang with top and base notes together |
You'll also see "cananga oil," from a closely related form of the tree. It is heavier and more woody than ylang ylang.
What ylang ylang essential oil smells like
Rich, sweet and creamy, with a fruity note often compared to banana or custard and a soft spice underneath. Some grades open with a slightly sharp, almost medicinal edge that settles within minutes. Our ylang ylang scent guide goes note by note.
How to use ylang ylang essential oil safely
- Always dilute it. Mix a small amount into a carrier oil such as jojoba or fractionated coconut oil, following the supplier's dilution guidance. Undiluted essential oils can irritate skin.
- Patch-test first on your inner arm and wait a day.
- Start low. Ylang ylang is powerful; too much reads as heavy or cloying.
- Keep it away from eyes, and out of reach of children and pets.
- Don't swallow it.
Ways people use ylang ylang oil
- In a homemade perfume oil: ylang pairs beautifully with sandalwood, vanilla, citrus and jasmine.
- In a body oil: a few drops in an unscented carrier make a simple floral body oil.
- In a diffuser: a drop or two is plenty for a room.
- In hair: a diluted drop on the ends of dry hair for a light scent trail.
Essential oil vs a ready-to-wear ylang ylang oil
Blending your own takes measuring and care, and good Extra-grade oil is expensive. If you simply want to wear the scent, a ready-made body oil is easier. Monoi Tiki Tahiti Ylang Ylang is made in Papeete by Parfumerie Tiki: Monoi de Tahiti (refined coconut oil with tiare flowers soaked in it) with a ylang ylang fragrance, and a dried tiare flower in every bottle. It joined the line in 1990 and is the second-boldest scent after Pitate: lush, creamy and floral, ready to use straight from the bottle.
In Tahiti, the ylang ylang flower is called moto'i and is woven into leis and flower crowns. Our Ylang Ylang body oil guide covers how to wear it, and there is a matching Ylang Ylang monoi soap ($6).
Monoi turns solid below about 68°F (20°C), which is normal; warm the bottle in your hands or in a cup of warm water. It is a cosmetic for skin and hair, not for eating, and it is not a sunscreen. Patch-test any new fragrance if your skin is sensitive.
Buying tips
- Check the grade on the label. A bottle that just says "ylang ylang" without a grade is often Complete or III.
- Look for the botanical name Cananga odorata and the country of origin.
- Price is a clue. Extra grades cost much more than III.
- Smell before you commit if you can. Ylang is love-it-or-not; a sample is worth it.
- Store it well: tightly capped, in a dark bottle, away from heat and light.
Ylang ylang in classic perfume
Ylang ylang is one of the great heart notes of floral perfumery. It gives white-flower bouquets a creamy, sunny richness and is famously cited as a note in Chanel No. 5. Because it blends so well, many people already love the scent without knowing its name.
Ylang ylang essential oil FAQ
Which ylang ylang grade is best?
For perfume, Extra. For a fuller, longer-lasting scent, Complete or III. It depends on what you're making.
What is "complete" ylang ylang?
Oil from an uninterrupted distillation, combining all the fractions in one.
Can you put ylang ylang oil directly on skin?
Not undiluted. Mix it into a carrier oil first, or use a ready-made scented body oil.
What does ylang ylang blend well with?
Sandalwood, vanilla, jasmine, citrus and coconut.
Wear the perfume tree
We are the official U.S. importer of Monoi Tiki Tahiti, shipping from Hawaii. Compare scents in the monoi scent guide.
Shop Ylang Ylang monoi oil, 4 fl oz, $19. Orders of $30 or more ship free in the U.S.