What is Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?
Ylang Ylang essential oil is steam-distilled from the fragrant flowers of Cananga odorata, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia that provides both therapeutic skin benefits and calming aromatherapeutic properties. This exotic floral oil contains high levels of linalool (up to 28%) and benzyl compounds that offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and sebum-regulating effects while delivering a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that helps promote relaxation and emotional balance.
Quick Benefits:
- Antimicrobial Protection: Effective against S. aureus with MIC 0.04 mg/mL and other skin pathogens [1]
- Anti-inflammatory Action: Reduces inflammatory markers through COX-2 and TNF-α inhibition [2]
- Sebum Regulation: Clinical studies show reduction from 26.8 to 5.7 mg/cm² sebum levels [3]
- Skin Hydration: Increases moisture levels from 18 to 41 AU (arbitrary units) [3]
- Antioxidant Protection: DPPH radical scavenging with IC₅₀ 1.57-3.5 mg/mL [1]
- Calming Aromatherapy: Promotes relaxation and helps manage stress through natural fragrance compounds
What Are the Main Benefits of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?
Protection
- Antimicrobial Defense: Broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis [1]
- Antioxidant Activity: Strong free radical scavenging capacity that protects skin from environmental damage [1]
- Barrier Enhancement: Supports skin barrier function and helps prevent pollutant-induced oxidative damage [2]
Repair
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: Modulates inflammatory pathways including NF-κB suppression and MAPK pathway regulation [2]
- Wound Healing Support: Accelerates re-epithelialization and enhances collagen deposition [2]
- Cellular Regeneration: Promotes fibroblast proliferation and supports tissue repair processes [2]
Hydration
- Moisture Balance: Clinical studies demonstrate significant improvement in skin hydration levels [3]
- TEWL Reduction: Nanoemulgel formulations reduce transepidermal water loss by 35% [3]
- Sebum Regulation: Helps normalize oil production in both oily and dry skin types [3]
How Does Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Work?
Ylang Ylang essential oil works through its rich content of linalool and benzyl compounds, which provide multiple therapeutic mechanisms. Linalool disrupts bacterial cell membranes while providing anti-inflammatory effects through COX-2 inhibition, making it effective against acne-causing bacteria while soothing irritated skin.
H3: Skin Penetration Enhancement
The oil acts as a natural penetration enhancer, increasing drug flux through stratum corneum lipid fluidization. Research shows it can enhance skin penetration 8-fold compared to controls by temporarily disrupting intercellular lipid organization, allowing better absorption of beneficial compounds [4].
H3: Sebum and Moisture Balance
Clinical studies demonstrate ylang ylang oil's unique ability to regulate both sebum production and hydration levels. In nanoemulgel formulations, it reduced excessive sebum by 78% while simultaneously increasing skin moisture by 127%, showing its dual-balancing properties [3].
What Does the Science Say About Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?
Scientific research provides strong evidence for ylang ylang oil's therapeutic potential in skincare applications. Clinical trials using nanoemulgel formulations show impressive results - participants experienced increased skin hydration from 18 to 41 arbitrary units while sebum levels decreased from 26.8 to 5.7 mg/cm², demonstrating significant skin balancing effects [3].
Antimicrobial testing reveals potent antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations of just 0.04 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 0.08 mg/mL against Bacillus subtilis, making it highly effective against common skin pathogens [1]. Antioxidant studies confirm significant protective capacity with DPPH radical scavenging IC₅₀ values of 1.57-3.5 mg/mL, comparable to established antioxidants [1].
Human clinical trials demonstrate physiological effects beyond skin benefits. In a study of 40 participants, transdermal application resulted in reduced blood pressure and increased skin temperature, indicating systemic relaxation effects that complement the oil's topical benefits [5].
Why Does DTCO Use Ylang Ylang Essential Oil in Skincare?
DTCO selected ylang ylang essential oil for Bite Balm and Sleep Balm because it provides dual therapeutic and aromatherapeutic benefits that enhance both the functional effectiveness and user experience of these specialized balms. The oil's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties help manage skin irritation from insect bites while its calming fragrance supports relaxation and sleep.
For Bite Balm, ylang ylang complements other soothing ingredients by providing additional antimicrobial protection against bacteria that might enter through bite wounds, while its anti-inflammatory effects help reduce swelling and irritation. For Sleep Balm, the oil's calming aromatic properties work synergistically with other relaxing essential oils to promote restful sleep while providing skin-conditioning benefits throughout the night.
We value ylang ylang's gentle yet effective profile - it provides therapeutic benefits without the intensity of stronger essential oils, making it suitable for evening use and sensitive areas. Its sebum-regulating properties also help maintain healthy skin balance during sleep, when natural repair processes are most active.
Where Does DTCO Source Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?
DTCO sources steam-distilled ylang ylang essential oil from certified sustainable farms in Southeast Asia, particularly the Comoros Islands and Madagascar where optimal growing conditions produce the highest quality oil. Our suppliers follow traditional harvesting methods that collect flowers during peak blooming periods when essential oil content and therapeutic potency are highest.
Quality verification includes comprehensive GC-MS analysis confirming authentic Cananga odorata chemical profiles with appropriate linalool content (20-28%) and benzyl compound ratios that indicate genuine, high-grade ylang ylang oil. We require documentation of sustainable farming practices and ethical harvesting that supports local communities.
Fractional distillation grading ensures premium quality - we source Extra or Grade I ylang ylang oil, which represents the finest fractions containing the most therapeutic compounds and optimal fragrance profiles for skincare applications.
Which DTCO Products Contain Ylang Ylang Essential Oil?
Bite Balm - Our post-bite relief formula combines ylang ylang with other soothing oils to help manage insect bite irritation. Ylang ylang provides antimicrobial protection to prevent secondary infections from scratching while its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and its gentle fragrance helps mask the itch sensation that can trigger scratching.
Sleep Balm - Our nighttime relaxation balm utilizes ylang ylang's calming aromatherapeutic properties alongside other relaxing essential oils. The oil's sebum-regulating and moisturizing effects help maintain healthy skin throughout the night while its sweet, floral fragrance promotes peaceful sleep and emotional balance.
How Do You Use Ylang Ylang Essential Oil at Home?
For bite relief and sleep support, apply DTCO balms containing ylang ylang as directed on the product labels. The oil's antimicrobial properties help protect against secondary infections from scratching bites, while its calming effects support both physical comfort and emotional relaxation.
For aromatherapy benefits, apply Sleep Balm to pulse points like wrists, temples, or behind ears 30 minutes before bedtime. The oil's fragrance compounds help trigger relaxation responses while its skin-conditioning properties provide overnight nourishment.
When using pure ylang ylang oil, always dilute properly - concentrations should not exceed 0.26% for leave-on applications according to IFRA safety guidelines [6]. Conduct patch testing before first use, especially if you have sensitive skin or known fragrance allergies, as ylang ylang can cause sensitization in 1-4% of individuals [6].
For best results with oily or acne-prone skin, use products containing ylang ylang consistently for 2-4 weeks to see sebum regulation benefits. The oil's antimicrobial effects may help prevent breakouts while its anti-inflammatory properties reduce acne-related irritation.
Common Questions About Ylang Ylang Essential Oil for Skin Care
Ylang Ylang oil can cause sensitization in 1-4% of individuals and should be used with caution on sensitive skin. Always patch test first and use products with concentrations below 0.26% for leave-on applications. Start with minimal amounts and discontinue if any irritation occurs.
Yes, clinical studies show ylang ylang oil significantly reduces sebum production (from 26.8 to 5.7 mg/cm²) while providing antimicrobial activity against acne-causing bacteria. Its MIC of 0.04 mg/mL against S. aureus makes it effective for managing bacterial aspects of acne while regulating oil production.
Research confirms ylang ylang oil's physiological calming effects. Human studies show transdermal application reduces blood pressure and increases skin temperature, indicating systemic relaxation. Its sweet, floral fragrance contains compounds that promote emotional balance and may help improve sleep quality when used in evening skincare routines.
Ylang Ylang Extra is the first and highest quality fraction from steam distillation, containing the most therapeutic compounds and finest fragrance. Lower grades (I, II, III) have different chemical profiles and may be less effective for skincare. DTCO uses Extra or Grade I to ensure maximum therapeutic benefits.
Ylang Ylang oil is not considered photosensitizing like citrus oils and can be safely used during daytime when properly diluted. However, its calming properties make it particularly beneficial for evening use, especially in sleep-promoting formulations where its aromatherapeutic effects are most appreciated.
References & Citations
- Petrelli R, et al. (2024). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ylang ylang essential oil. Pharmaceuticals, 17(10), 1376.
- Tan LT, et al. (2015). Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and bioactivities of Cananga odorata. PMC, PMC4534619.
- Alam MS, et al. (2024). Nanoemulgel formulation of ylang ylang oil for enhanced skin delivery. Pharmaceuticals, PMC11510078.
- Herman A, Andrzej H. (2014). Essential oils as skin penetration enhancers. Dermatology Journal.
- Hongratanaworakit T, Buchbauer G. (2006). Relaxing effect of ylang ylang oil on humans. PubMed, 16807875.
- IFRA Safety Guidelines. (2023). Ylang ylang essential oil concentration limits for cosmetic applications.