Ylang Ylang Oil (CAS 8006-81-3) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ylang Ylang Oil
CAS 8006-81-3
What Is Ylang Ylang Oil?
Ylang ylang oil is a floral essential oil distilled from the yellow flowers of the Cananga tree, native to tropical Asia. It’s commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and aromatherapy products for its rich, sweet floral scent. This oil matters because it adds depth and exotic warmth to fragrances, often serving as a heart note that bridges fresh top notes with deeper base notes. Its complex aroma profile makes it a staple in many classic perfume compositions.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESS
What Does Ylang Ylang Oil Smell Like?
Ylang ylang oil bursts with an intense, heady floral sweetness reminiscent of jasmine and neroli, but with a distinctive banana-like undertone and creamy richness. The top notes are bright and slightly fruity, evolving into a lush, narcotic floral heart with hints of spice and warmth. As it dries down, it reveals a soft, slightly woody and balsamic character. The oil’s complexity can range from fresh and green in the first fraction (ylang ylang extra) to deep, honeyed, and animalic in the complete distillation.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Ylang ylang provides the voluptuous floral heart that defines this legendary fragrance, blending with rose and jasmine to create its iconic bouquet. The oil’s natural richness allows it to stand up to the aldehydic top notes while bridging to the vanillic base.
Here ylang ylang amplifies the indolic aspects of the jasmine absolute, creating one of perfumery’s most opulent floral statements. Its banana-like facets interact beautifully with the peach notes in this composition.
Ylang ylang’s creamy warmth complements the sandalwood base in this oriental, while its floral intensity balances the powdery iris. The oil’s balsamic dry-down enhances the fragrance’s sensual trail.
Modern use shows ylang ylang’s versatility, where it adds floral depth to the coffee-vanilla accord. Its slight spice note interacts with the pink pepper, while the sweetness amplifies the gourmand elements.
Demonstrating ylang ylang’s fresh side, here it combines with bergamot and pear for a dewy, tropical floral effect. The oil’s green facets are emphasized in this contemporary interpretation.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ylang ylang oil is a complex mixture of over 100 compounds, primarily sesquiterpenes and esters. The key constituents include benzyl acetate (floral), linalool (fresh), geranyl acetate (fruity), and sesquiterpenes like germacrene-D (woody). The oil’s composition varies significantly between distillation fractions – the first (‘extra’) contains more light, fresh top notes, while later fractions accumulate heavier, balsamic compounds. Commercial grades often blend fractions to achieve consistent olfactory profiles. The oil’s characteristic banana note comes from isoeugenol and other phenylpropanoids present in small quantities.
Chemical Composition
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 200-250 °C (varies by fraction) |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.905-0.955 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.490-1.520 |
| Flash Point | 93 °C |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, oils; insoluble in water |
Key Constituent Properties
| Constituent | CAS | MW | BP °C | XLogP | Vapor P. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzyl acetate | 140-11-4 | 150.18 | 215 | 1.96 | 0.13 mmHg |
| Linalool | 78-70-6 | 154.25 | 198 | 2.7 | 0.16 mmHg |
| Geranyl acetate | 105-87-3 | 196.29 | 242 | 3.83 | 0.02 mmHg |
| Germacrene-D | 23986-74-5 | 204.35 | 275 | 4.8 | 0.001 mmHg |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds floral richness without overwhelming |
| Soap | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Use lower levels due to intensity |
| Candles | 2-4% | Up to 6% | Excellent scent throw when blended with vanilla |
| Aromatherapy | 0.5-1% | Up to 2% | Often blended with lavender for relaxation |
Classic Accords
+ Rose + Jasmine = Classic Floral Bouquet
+ Bergamot + Petitgrain = Tropical Cologne
+ Patchouli + Vetiver = Exotic Floral Woody
Tip: Balance ylang ylang’s intensity with fresh top notes like bergamot or green notes like violet leaf to prevent the composition from becoming too heavy.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A less expensive alternative from the same plant species with a rougher, more woody character. Use when cost is a factor or when a less refined floral note is desired.
For recreating just the sweet, floral top notes of ylang ylang without the heavier base. Useful in functional fragrances where cost and stability are priorities.
Provides some of ylang ylang’s floral-lily aspects with better stability in alkaline products like soaps. Lacks the banana-like nuances.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. However, benzyl acetate (a major constituent) is limited to 42.5% in leave-on products (IFRA 49th Amendment). Natural ylang ylang oil typically contains 20-30% benzyl acetate.
EU Allergen Declaration
Contains benzyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, linalool, geraniol, and isoeugenol which must be declared under EU allergen labeling regulations when present above 0.001% in leave-on products.
GHS Classification
H317 May cause allergic skin reaction
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has conducted a comprehensive safety assessment (2016) concluding that ylang ylang oil is safe as a fragrance ingredient at current levels of use.
Sustainability
Ylang ylang is sustainably harvested from cultivated trees in Comoros, Madagascar, and the Philippines. The distillation process is energy-intensive but utilizes agricultural waste as fuel. Synthetic alternatives exist but lack the full complexity of natural oil. Fair trade initiatives help support small-scale farmers. The yield is relatively high (100kg flowers produce 1-2kg oil), making it more sustainable than some floral absolutes.
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Lawless, J. (2013). The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Conari Press.
- RIFM (2016). Fragrance material review on Cananga odorata flower oil. DOI:10.1016/j.fct.2016.05.006
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
