Cananga Odorata Flower Oil

Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, more commonly known as Ylang-Ylang oil, is an essential oil derived from the fragrant flowers of the Cananga tree, a tropical species native to the rainforests of the South Pacific and Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, where they have various applications in local traditional medicine. The flowers have yellow, long, and slightly curled petals and are highly fragrant.

Ylang-ylang oil is used in the region to treat depression and anxiety, while the whole flowers are used to treat asthma, stomach aches, malaria, and pneumonia. Praised for its unique floral aroma, it has been traditionally used in aromatherapy and perfumery.

The essential oil is obtained by water or steam distillation. The volatile compounds that give it its characteristic scent are linalool, benzyl acetate, methyl benzoate, and geraniol.

Due to the different extraction procedures and methods, and also the different maturity of the flowers, there are four different grades of ylang-ylang essential oil: Extra (strongly fragrant, used in high-end perfumes), First, Second (both are used in cosmetics), and Third (used to perfume soaps and other low-end products).

Apart from being a lovely perfume and fragrance, there is some evidence to suggest that the inhaling of ylang-ylang essential oil can have sedative, calming, and harmonizing effects and that it can even lower a person’s blood pressure and heart rate. It is sometimes used as an ingredient in insect repellants.

When it comes to skincare, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil serves several roles. Here are its key functions:

1. Fragrance: One of the primary appeals of Cananga Odorata Flower Oil in skincare is its distinctive, enchanting fragrance. The oil offers a complex jasmine-like aroma that is rich, sweet, floral, and slightly fruity.
   
   This scent is not only pleasing to the olfactory senses but is also known to have a calming and relaxing effect, contributing to the overall sensory experience of a skincare routine.

2. Potential Antioxidant: Cananga Odorata Flower Oil is packed with antioxidants such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, and eugenol. These compounds neutralize harmful free radicals in the skin, thereby protecting against oxidative damage.
   
   The oil's composition can vary due to geographical location, cultivation method, harvest timing, and extraction process, but its antioxidant potential remains high across the board.

Cananga Odorata Flower Oil should be used with care. Generally, it is considered safe for topical application when diluted properly. But as with all essential oils and fragrances, the oil may cause an allergic skin reaction in more sensitive individuals. People that have gotten a skin rash from perfumed products in the past should always patch test before using.