If you’ve dabbled in aromatherapy or organic skincare products, you’ve likely come across ylang ylang essential oil benefits for skin before. They're made from a yellow, star-shaped flower that grows on the Canaga tree -- native to Malaysia, India, the Philippines, and parts of Australia -- ylang ylang is used in many self care products, including candles, essential oils, skincare products, and haircare.
But why, and what are the benefits of ylang ylang as an ingredient? Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Ylang Ylang?
Ylang ylang extract is a potent essential oil derived from the ylang ylang flower of the Cananga odorata, otherwise known as ylang-ylang (/ˈiːlæŋ ˈiːlæŋ/ EE-lang-EE-lang) tree or cananga tree. The tropical species originates from the Philippines, but can be found throughout certain regions of Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia.
Ylang ylang essential oil benefits the skin in numerous ways, and it's a popular ingredient in Eight Saints' line of products for that very reason. Our Bright Side Cream Cleanser and Down to Earth Gel Cleanser both use ylang ylang essential oil in combination with other natural seed extracts to nourish the pores on a deep, foundational level.
Potent antibacterial properties make ylang ylang essential oil perfect for treating and reducing blemishes, while its anti-inflammatory agents help to reduce redness caused by acne or irritation. The purifying oil is also known to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, making it a popular choice for those looking to maintain their youthful glow!
The Chemicals
The chemical composition of ylang ylang can vary widely based on how it’s distilled, the stages of flower maturity, and the geographic area from which it is picked.
That said, recent studies have shown a wide variety of ylang ylang benefits exhibited by the essential oils and the extracts of C. odorata including antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, anti-inflammatory, anti-vector, insect-repellent, anti-diabetic, anti-fertility and anti-melanogenesis activities.
Because of these properties, ylang ylang can be used for many applications.
What Is Ylang Ylang Used for?
Traditional Medicine
Both historically and presently, ylang ylang essential oil has many medicinal and traditional uses around the world:
- In Java and Vietnam, the dried flowers are used to treat malaria-life symptoms.
- In the Northern Mariana Islands, the flowers and bark are used by local healers to treat pneumonia and stomach ache.
- Ylang ylang has also been used as an antidepressant, to lower blood pressure, and to manage hypertension.
- In India and the Indian Ocean, ylang ylang leaves are believed to relieve dandruff-related itching.
- In Papua New Guinea, the inner bark is consumed to treat gout and stomach ailments.
- In India, the bark is also used to treat rheumatism, phlegm, ophthalmia, ulcers, and fever.
- On top of that, it’s used in Western cultures in aromatherapy, skincare, and more.
Aromatherapy
What does ylang ylang smell like? A sweet and floral scent similar to jasmine, which is often used in aromatherapy. Yang ylang has been shown to:<./p>
- Decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure when inhaled
- Reduce stress levels
- Increase alertness and attentiveness
- Have sedative effects, decreasing heart rate
- Increase calmness
In short, it’s shown to have sedative, relaxing, and harmonizing effects when used in aromatherapy.
Skincare
Is ylang ylang good for skin? When applied topically, ylang ylang essential oil benefits for skin can make it an effective ingredient for:
- Soothing redness
- Treating acne-causing microbes
- Reduce pore size
- Though it’s suitable for all skin types, these benefits make it extra appropriate for blemish or acne-prone skin.
The benefits of ylang ylang essential oils are virtually endless. In skin care, the ingredients have a proven ability to help reduce skin inflammation and irregular pigmentation, promote healthy collagen production, and naturally prevent acne breakouts. Try our Seeking C Face Serum to see the results for yourself.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil Benefits for Skin
There is no 'right answer' when it comes to the question of how to use ylang ylang essential oil. As the most potent ingredient of its kind, ylang ylang essential oil uses are varied and many. Individuals of all skin types can incorporate it into their skin care routine knowing that it will do good - whether that's from an anti-inflammatory perspective or a more cosmetic one. Read below as we go over just a few ylang ylang skin benefits in detail.
Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Inflammatory
Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are among the most game-changing ylang ylang essential oil benefits we have to share. The flower is naturally rich in linalool, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can be an effective treatment for a number of skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. Plus, its antimicrobial benefits make it great for fighting off acne-causing bacteria. If you're interested in using ylang ylang for skin in this way, why not try our Down to Earth Gel Cleanser? Its rich blend of organic oils and botanical compounds with hyaluronic acid, is an asset for any kind of skin irritation, dryness, or inflammation.
Balances Oil Production for Just the Right Glow
Think all ylang ylang benefits are visual? Think again. A lot more goes on beneath the surface when you use ylang ylang on skin with a high number of sebaceous glands. It has the capacity to regulate the amount of oil these areas produce, balancing moisture levels for a cleaner complexion long-term. Super beneficial for dry and oily skin sufferers alike!
Eight Saints' Bright Side Cream Cleanser and Soulmate Brightening Treatment are two great examples of ylang ylang's positive effects in action. Not only can they balance your skin's oil, but also deeply hydrate and nourish thanks to the help of other powerful ingredients.
Skin Purifier - Remove that Acne!
What is ylang ylang essential oil good for beyond moisturizing, you may ask? Try acne! The anti-bacterial agents found in this ingredient cleanse the skin of harmful pathogens and debris lingering in the pores. With enough consistent use, you can reasonably expect to see a decrease in new blemishes and overall irritation levels. We put ylang ylang oil in Seeking C Face Serum to make getting this benefit into your daily routine as easy as possible. Mixed in with other powerful ingredients, it has everything you need for a healthy, lively, and speckle-free complexion.
Boosts Cell Regeneration for Younger-Looking Skin
While you'll surely love that our feature ingredient can help you avoid looking like an acne-prone teenager, the benefits of ylang ylang go much further. Powerful natural antioxidant properties make this ingredient just as valuable in the fight against visible aging. Free radicals are responsible for premature aging, so ylang ylang oil can help reduce wrinkles and restore youthfulness to your skin that lasts. We highly recommend using Seeking C Face Serum regularly to really make the most of this natural energy boost. There's no better time to do something for your skin in 20 years than right now!
Hydrate for Healthier Skin
Despite being last on our list of ylang ylang essential oil uses and benefits, hydration is nowhere near the least important thing this ingredient can do for your skin. In fact, many people specifically seek out ylang ylang oil for this very reason - its hydrating properties and oil balancing abilities serve as a great moisturizer for various types of skin. That's why we included it in the formula for Daydreamer Natural Face Moisturizer. This product is specially designed for sensitive skin, and it's guaranteed to keep your face looking soft and hydrated all day long!
Which Essential Oils Does Ylang Ylang Blend Well With?
The ylang ylang oil benefits that we've covered so far are just the tip of the iceberg. Combined with other ingredients, there's no limit to what kind of advantages it can offer your skin. Ylang ylang blends well with several essential oils on the broader spectrum too, meaning there are plenty of options to work with. Eight Saints' Most Loved Starter Routine is a great way to start experimenting with possible mixes and find what works best for your regimen.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil blends with ylang ylang very well, in part because of their similar properties. Lavender is known for its calming and soothing effects on the skin, but it is also non-comedogenic, meaning that it kills acne-causing bacteria that might infiltrate your pores. Together, ylang ylang and lavender make an ideal combination for anyone looking to boost their skin's vitality. You can find them both in our Chase The Sun SPF 30 Face Moisturizer.
Frankincense
Frankincense is another one of many essential oils ylang ylang pairs nicely with. This ancient oil has been used for centuries to promote youthful-looking skin and is known to reduce inflammation and redness through epidermis-healing properties. Ylang ylang brings a bright, romantic floral aroma that rounds out the musky undertones of frankincense. Mixed together in our No Plans Clay Mask, the benefits of frankincense and ylang ylang for skin care are undeniable.
Geranium
While ylang ylang side effects are rare, individuals with more sensitive skin may be prone to irritation when applying oil topically. In such cases, mixing it with a natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory oil like geranium can help offset any potential redness. Geranium oil is known to promote healing and balance sebum production, making it easy to reap ylang ylang oil benefits for skin regardless of what type you have.
Eight Saints has a diverse selection of products with geranium, namely Cloud Whip Face Cream, Night Shift Hydration Gel, Pep Rally Face Serum, No Plans Clay Mask, and Zen Out of Ten Face Scrub. Boost your skin's natural glow by trying them out today!
Bergamot
The advantages of applying ylang ylang on skin are multiplied with bergamot oil. It contains several natural compounds known to have immunomodulatory, wound-healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Because bergamot oil works to stimulate skin cell renewal, it can also make a positive difference in skin pigment distribution and complexion.
Combining bergamot and ylang ylang benefits for skin, our Seeking C face serum will help purify, balance, and hydrate your skin. This serum is an ideal way to incorporate bergamot oil into a daily skincare routine, with the added bonus of nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and jojoba oil.
Rose
Rose oil mirrors the benefits of ylang ylang oil for skin in the sense that it's also anti-bacterial and deeply hydrating. But anti-ageing is where this ingredient really shines; using it regularly can help drastically reduce the development and appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Just like how regular ylang ylang essential oil uses can help bring balance to the skin, rose oil can also restore its natural harmony. Eight Saints' No Plans Clay Mask contains both, making it a great way to add such benefits into your daily routine.
Should You Worry About the Side Effects of Ylang Ylang?
While there are countless ylang ylang essential oil benefits for skin, there are also some potential side effects to be noted. The most common is irritation; ylang ylang has been linked to contact dermatitis and can be irritating to skin when applied topically. It's always best to apply essential compounds like these through carrier oils to lessen the potential for side effects. Just be sure to patch test products 48 hours before full use. Otherwise, ylang ylang - and especially the organic ylang ylang essential oil found in Eight Saints products - is considered very safe.
Final Thoughts
We've been over a mountain of ylang ylang essential oil skin benefits, use cases, and tips in this article. To recap, ylang ylang can be used both topically and aromatically to nourish skin and help reduce signs of aging. It's also a great choice for reducing stress and calming the mind. Although side effects are unlikely, always patch test any product before full use.
If you're looking to take the plunge and experience the transformative skin benefits of organic ylang ylang essential oil, be sure to join the Eight Saints VIP program for exclusive access and discounts on our line of all-natural ylang ylang skin care products.