Intensely sweet, floral, and balsamic from the opening, with a creamy richness on the top note that the later cuts lack. The linalool component gives it a smooth, almost soapy floral softness that runs through the heart; a warm spice quality adds depth and complexity, and a faint orchid-like facet gives it an exotic quality that is characteristic of the flower. Jasmine, tuberose, gardenia, champaca, and frangipani are all in the aromatic neighbourhood, and tropical fruits such as banana, mango, and papaya appear as an undertone rather than a literal accord. Despite an ROI of 120, the odour life on a smelling strip is relatively short at 20 hours for a natural, so it works primarily as a top-to-heart note rather than a base fixative.

Ylang Ylang Extra works as a rich floral top-to-heart note, creamy tropical floral modifier, and natural exotic character ingredient across fine fragrance and personal care.

Recommended concentration: 0.08% minimum, 0.8% average, up to 6.7% maximum in a finished compound. Use with care: ylang ylang reads very differently at different concentrations, and too much easily tips into headache-inducing territory. Rated excellent for personal care, soap, hair care, fabric care, pot pourri, and incense; fair for alcoholic perfume only.

Particularly effective in:

Jasmine, tuberose, champaca, gardenia, and frangipani floral compositions
Tropical and exotic floral fine fragrance
Oriental and floral oriental structures needing a rich, heady floral heart
Personal care: creams, lotions, body wash, shampoo, hair conditioner
Soap and fabric care where exceptional stability makes it an excellent choice
Pot pourri and incense (rated excellent for both)

Blends well with:

White florals: jasmine, tuberose, neroli, rose
Exotic florals: champaca, frangipani, cassie, mimosa
Woods: rosewood, vetiver
Resins: opopanax, Peru balsam
Citrus: bergamot for freshness on the top

Material Type: Essential oil (Extra grade, first distillation fraction)
Botanical Name: Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. and Thomson var. genuina
Common Name: Ylang Ylang Extra; Flower of Flowers
Plant Part: Flowers
Extraction Method: Water and steam distillation (fractional; Extra is the first fraction)
CAS Number: 8006-81-3
FEMA: 3119
Origin: Comoros, Madagascar
Odour Profile: Sweet, narcotic, floral, balsamic, spicy; rich creamy top note; jasmine, tropical fruit, and orchid facets; warm spice heart
Appearance: Pale yellow to straw oily liquid
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol and oils
Key Components: Linalool (dominant), benzyl acetate, geranyl acetate, caryophyllene, p-cresyl methyl ether (confirm from batch COA)
Regulatory Status: SDS documentation can be supplied upon request where available.

For external use only. Do not ingest
Avoid use during pregnancy
Potent material; evaluate carefully at low concentrations before increasing; excess ylang ylang in a formula is difficult to correct
May cause sensitisation in some individuals; patch test recommended
Avoid contact with eyes
Flash point 85°C; flammable; store away from heat and open flames
Store tightly sealed in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight
Shelf life: 2-3 years when stored correctly; monitor for oxidation