Ylang-Ylang: An Enchanting Exoticism

Ingredient Overview

Ylang-ylang is an exotic flower native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, Indonesia, and Madagascar. Its name means “flower of flowers” in Tagalog, referring to its powerful and captivating scent.

The essential oil of ylang-ylang is obtained through the distillation of its yellow petals, revealing a smooth, sunny, and floral trail, with spicy and slightly creamy facets. Highly prized in perfumery, it stands out for its rich olfactory profile and its ability to enhance floral, oriental, and solar compositions.


History and Origin

Ylang-ylang has been used for centuries in Asian and island traditions. In the Philippines, its petals were scattered in wedding chambers for their aphrodisiac properties. In Madagascar, its essential oil was used in beauty treatments and well-being rituals for its soothing effects.

Introduced into perfumery in the 19th century, ylang-ylang quickly won over perfumers with its unique olfactory signature, both heady, soft, and sensual.


Ylang-Ylang in Perfumery

Ylang-ylang is a versatile ingredient that enriches many olfactory compositions:

• Floral perfumes → Adds a sunny and exotic touch, often blended with jasmine, tuberose, or orange blossom.
• Oriental and woody fragrances → Contributes to a warm and intense sensuality.
• Solar accords → Common in holiday-inspired scents, evoking sun-kissed skin and monoi oil.
• Chypre and amber perfumes → Brings roundness and a velvety softness.

Ylang-ylang is also an excellent fixative, helping perfumes last longer on the skin. Its opulent scent, somewhere between white flowers and spiced vanilla, makes it an essential ingredient for those seeking a fragrance that is both elegant and radiant.


In Summary

Ylang-ylang is an exotic flower with a rich and luminous scent. Its soft and sensual trail is widely used in perfumery, bringing warmth and sophistication to floral, oriental, and solar creations.


Iconic Perfumes Featuring Ylang-Ylang:

Ylang 49 – Le Labo
Ylang in Gold – M. Micallef 
Boadicea - Valiant 
Red Door - Elizabeth Arden 
Embruns d’Ylang - Guerlain 
Lust for Sun – Juliet has a gun