Skincare Ingredients - Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang is a fragrant essential oil that comes from a tree in the Philippines. The world's most expensive type of this oil comes from Madagascar. It has been used for centuries as an herbal medicine as well as for its aromatic properties.

Ylang Ylang has been popularised by the perfume industry and was made famous by the Chanel No. 5 perfume in 1921, which contained a large proportion of this essential oil. The rose-like fragrance is also found in several other perfumes, such as the Diorissimo from Christian Dior and Fracas from Robert Piguet to name just a few. In fact, it is reported that 80% of all women's perfumes contain Ylang Ylang.

Ylang ylang is also popularly used in aromatherapy, and its known for its calming and soothing properties. It smells very different to rose and lavender and has a warm, sweet floral fragrance with woody undertones. This makes it perfect for relaxing massages and other treatments. Ylang Ylang is also used in aromatherapy for its sedative qualities and can help to relieve stress and anxiety.

On the skin, Ylang ylang has moisturising properties and works well with acne-prone skin types due to its anti-inflammatory action. It soothes skin irritations such as rashes and burns and can be used as a skincare product for dry skin. It actually contains the constituent Eugenol which has anti-bacterial properties and is why it's also excellent at combating skin infections such as acne.

With its soothing properties, Ylang ylang oil makes a great massage oil or can even be diluted in water and sprayed as a room freshener. For massage purposes, it's best to mix 3-5 drops of Ylang ylang with another carrier oil (i.e. coconut or jojoba oil) and then apply on the body for its moisturising and relaxing effects.

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