Ingredient guide · Y

Ylang Ylang

Ylang ylang is a luxurious, floral essential oil prized in British beauty for its sweet, heady aroma and balancing properties. Extracted from the star-shaped flowers of the tropical ylang ylang tree, it is commonly used in perfumes, haircare and skincare to add a sophisticated scent while helping to soothe and condition.

Ylang Ylang — Ylang ylang essential oil is steam-distilled from the fragrant, star-shaped yellow flow… | UK Lips ingredient guide

How it works in skincare

In cosmetics and skincare, ylang ylang essential oil functions primarily as a fragrance ingredient and natural conditioning agent. Its volatile aromatic compounds provide a rich, exotic floral note that elevates everything from body lotions and bath oils to hair serums and solid perfumes. It also helps to balance sebum production on both skin and scalp, leaving hair softer and more manageable while imparting a subtle shine.

Key benefits

  • Delivers a rich, exotic floral scent to perfumes and skincare
  • Helps balance sebum production on skin and scalp
  • Conditions and softens hair for improved manageability
  • Adds natural shine to hair
  • Soothes and calms the skin in leave-on formulations
  • Works as a natural fragrance alternative in clean beauty products

Best for

oily skin, combination skin, dry hair, normal skin, sensitive scalp

Where it comes from

Ylang ylang essential oil is steam-distilled from the fragrant, star-shaped yellow flowers of the Cananga odorata tree, native to tropical regions of Asia.

Products with Ylang Ylang

Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Ylang Ylang than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.

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