Ylang-Ylang III Essential Oil, 1 l

The essential oil Ylang-Ylang III gives cosmetics a sweet floral scent with an oriental undertone. It is obtained by steam distillation of the flowers of Cananga odorata and in formulations it serves as a fragrance ingredient in body, facial and hair care. It is also used in aromatherapy and in diffusers.

It is used in both rinse-off and leave-on products, from bar soap through shower gel to facial serum. The manufacturer recommends it especially for dry skin and mature complexion.

What it brings to the formulation

• Floral scent – sweet, warm character with an oriental undertone, according to the manufacturer particularly popular in body and hair products.
• Soothing effect on skin – according to the manufacturer's documentation, it helps reduce redness and the sensation of irritation.
• Cooling sensation – the manufacturer states a refreshing, cooling effect on the skin, useful for example in body mists and after-sun products.
• Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect – the manufacturer lists these among the properties of the oil. These are properties of the raw material, not a claim about the finished product.
• Aromatherapy – the scent of ylang-ylang is, according to the manufacturer, associated with relaxation and a sense of calm, which is why it is added to massage oils, bath preparations and diffuser blends.

Use in formulation

The oil is soluble in oil and alcohol, it does not dissolve in water. It is incorporated into the oil phase of emulsions, into anhydrous body and massage oils, balms and alcohol-based fragrance bases. In water-based products such as tonics, facial mists or shower gels, it can be introduced via a solubiliser or surfactant base. The documentation indicates compatibility with non-ionic surfactants, alcohol and other fragrances.

It is added at the end, during the cooling phase of the emulsion or as an additional incorporation into the finished base. The recommended processing temperature is below 40 °C. The oil consists of volatile components; at higher temperatures some of them evaporate and the scent of the product changes.

The oil is suitable for both rinse-off and leave-on products. The maximum dosage is governed by the IFRA category of the finished product. The dosage differs for a facial cream, a bar soap and a candle or air freshener, so the limit for the relevant category should be verified before the formulation is finalised.

Suitable for products such as

• Body care – body oils, lotions, massage oils, body mists and serums.
• Shower and bath products – shower gels, body washes, bath oils and salts.
• Soaps – bar and liquid soaps.
• Facial care – facial oils, creams, serums and cleansers for dry and mature skin, at low dosage according to the facial IFRA category.
• Hair care – shampoos, conditioners, hair oils, serums and mists. According to the manufacturer, it may also have a soothing effect on the scalp.
• Diffusers and aromatherapy – on its own or blended with other essential oils.

What is good to know

The oil originates from Madagascar and its colour ranges from light yellow to deeper yellow. In white or colourless products, the effect on colour depends on the dosage; with light creams and clear gels, the result should be verified on a small sample.

The oil is intended for all skin types. However, it belongs to fragrance ingredients containing known skin allergens, so it should be dosed carefully in leave-on facial preparations and any new product should be tested on a small area of skin before wider use.

The shade of the scent and the colour may vary slightly between batches; this is normal for a natural distillate. In series production, a new batch is first compared with the previous one on a sample and the dosage is adjusted if necessary.

Frequently asked questions