Hair oiling,
with a floral note.
Ylang ylang essential oil for hair is about scent, ritual and a well-chosen carrier oil, not a growth miracle. Here is what it can do, how to use it safely, and four recipes you can mix in a minute.
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Ylang ylang oil for hair, in four lines
If you only read one section, make it this one.
A beautifully scented pre-wash oil, a scalp-massage ritual and a perfume-like finish. Any softness you feel most likely comes from the carrier oil.
Hair growth, reversing hair loss, or treating dandruff and a dry scalp. The evidence for these is limited.
1 drop of ylang ylang essential oil in 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of carrier oil.
Never apply the essential oil undiluted to your scalp or skin.
What is ylang ylang essential oil, and why is it used in hair care?
Ylang ylang (pronounced ee-lang ee-lang) is steam-distilled from the star-shaped yellow flowers of the Cananga odorata tree. The oil smells sweet, rich and creamy, closer to the heart of a perfume than a fresh, airy floral. You will sometimes see it shortened to “ylang oil,” or “ylang oil for hair” in DIY recipes.
It has been a favorite in perfumery and traditional hair oils for generations, and people still reach for it for the same reason: it turns an ordinary step into something that feels special. Its value here is aromatic, not medicinal.
New to the flower? Start with our ylang ylang essential oil benefits guide, or brush up on the basics in Essential Oils 101.
Ylang ylang oil benefits for hair: what to realistically expect
Think of ylang ylang as the scent of your routine, not the engine behind it. Here is what you can honestly look forward to.
A ritual you look forward to
A scent you enjoy makes it easier to actually do the routine, and consistency is what hair care rewards.
Softness and shine, mostly from the carrier
The conditioning you notice most likely comes from the jojoba, argan, sweet almond or coconut oil, not from the ylang ylang itself.
A scalp massage worth pausing for
Much of the calm comes from the pause you give yourself and the massage. The scent is the finishing touch.
A subtle, perfume-like finish
On the lengths of your hair, a well-diluted amount can leave a soft, warm floral note that lingers after you wash.
The evidence that ylang ylang treats hair loss, dandruff or a dry scalp is limited. Enjoy it as an aromatic ingredient, not a medical treatment.
Does ylang ylang help hair growth?
There is no strong evidence that it does.
Most of what you will read online rests on tradition and personal anecdote rather than studies in people. If you are asking whether ylang ylang helps hair growth on its own, we have not seen solid evidence that it does, and we would rather tell you that than promise it.
For a neutral read on what research does and doesn’t show, see the NCCIH overview of aromatherapy.
Softness and shine you can actually feel.
Comfort, and a few minutes just for you.
Gentle handling, a comfortable scalp and decent nutrition.
Your hair loss is sudden, patchy or getting worse. That deserves a proper diagnosis, not a bottle that promises to fix it.
How to use ylang ylang essential oil for hair
The rule is simple: dilute first, then apply. Essential oils are concentrated, so ylang ylang always goes in with a carrier oil, never straight onto the scalp.
Dilute first
The chart assumes roughly 20 drops per mL, though drop sizes vary from bottle to bottle. Start at the low end, especially for the scalp.
| Carrier oil | Ylang ylang drops | Approx. dilution |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tbsp15 mL | 1 dropThe simple starting point |
about 0.3%
|
| 1 tbsp15 mL | 2 dropsUpper limit. Stay lower for the scalp |
about 0.7%
|
| 2 tbsp30 mL | 2 to 4 dropsFor a bigger batch |
about 0.3 to 0.7%
|
Bars show a 0 to 1% scale. The gold line marks 0.8%, a commonly cited maximum for Ylang Ylang Complete on skin. The 2-drop row sits close to it, which is why we suggest 1 drop per tablespoon for the scalp.
Choose a carrier oil for your hair type
The carrier does the conditioning work, so match it to your hair. Rootsar doesn’t sell carrier oils, so use jojoba or whichever you already trust.
Keep it light
Jojoba or grapeseed
Apply to the hair lengths, not the scalp, so fine hair doesn’t go flat.
Add some richness
Argan or sweet almond
Works well on both the scalp and the lengths.
Go heavier, sparingly
Coconut or avocado
Heavy oils can build up, so use a small amount and rinse thoroughly.
Step by step
A calm, seven-step routine you can finish in under an hour, most of it spent just waiting.
- Patch test and wait 24 hoursDab a dime-sized amount of the finished blend on your inner forearm. If redness or itching appears, skip it.
- Mix your blendStir the ylang ylang drops into the carrier oil until even.
- Section your hairParting your hair lets the oil reach the scalp, not just the top layer.
- Warm it up and massageWarm a little between your palms, then massage your scalp with your fingertips for about 5 minutes.
- Work through the lengthsA little is enough. There is no need to coat the ends.
- Leave it on for 30 to 60 minutesWrap your hair in a towel if you like, and enjoy the quiet.
- Shampoo as usualRepeat the wash if your hair still feels heavy.
4 DIY ylang ylang hair oil recipes
Each blend made with ROOTSAR Ylang Ylang Essential Oil takes under a minute to mix. Make small batches, keep leftovers in a clean, dark glass bottle away from heat and sunlight, and patch test before your first use.
Pre-wash lengths oil
The easiest place to start. Work it through the lengths before you shampoo. The jojoba does the conditioning, and the ylang ylang adds the scent.
Scalp massage oil
A champi-inspired routine. The massage is the point: spend five slow minutes working it into the scalp with your fingertips, then wash out.
Weekend deep-conditioning mask
Apply, leave on for 30 to 60 minutes, then shampoo. Lavender softens the floral and makes it feel a little more restful.
Shampoo boost
Lather as usual and rinse well. Never pour drops into the whole bottle, because essential oil doesn’t blend evenly into a big batch and the strength becomes hard to control.
Scent partners worth knowing
Ylang ylang is rich on its own, but it layers beautifully. We’ve mapped the pairings and ratios in our guide to the best essential oils to mix with ylang ylang.
Lavender
Softens ylang ylang into a gentler, herbal floral. A lovely choice for the weekend mask.
See Lavender Essential OilFrankincense
Adds warm, resinous depth that balances the sweetness of the flower.
See Frankincense Essential OilIt’s a lovely diffuser partner, but we don’t recommend it in scalp or leave-in hair recipes. Cold-pressed citrus oils can make skin more reactive to sunlight, a caution we also share in our blending guide. For hair, stick with ylang ylang, lavender or frankincense.
Common mistakes to avoid
A few small slips make the biggest difference.
It is concentrated. Instead: always blend it into a carrier oil first.
Oil and water separate, so droplets can land on your scalp in concentrated pockets. Instead: mix it into carrier oil or a palmful of shampoo.
Ylang ylang is strong and lingers, so more is not better. Instead: drop back to one drop if the scent feels heavy.
Twenty-four hours on your forearm is cheap insurance. Instead: test every new blend before it touches your scalp.
You don’t yet know how your scalp reacts. Instead: start with a shorter first session.
Coconut or avocado can weigh fine hair down. Instead: reach for jojoba or grapeseed.
Four safe-use essentials
Essential oils are concentrated. A small amount is enough.
For Ylang Ylang Complete, a commonly cited maximum for topical use is 0.8%. One drop in a tablespoon (15 mL) of carrier oil is a simple low-dilution example, although drop sizes vary.
Test a small area of intact skin and wait 24 hours. Stop using the blend if redness or irritation develops.
Never ingest essential oil or use it undiluted on skin. Avoid eyes and mucous membranes. Don’t add it directly to bathwater, where it won’t dissolve.
Store oils securely. Ask a veterinarian before diffusing in a home with pets, especially birds or animals with respiratory concerns.
Pregnant, nursing, or managing a scalp or medical condition? Consult a qualified clinician before topical use. Check the label on your specific bottle before use.
Ylang ylang essential oil for hair: FAQs
Quick answers to the questions people ask most.
Can I put ylang ylang oil directly on my scalp?
No. Always dilute it in a carrier oil first. One drop in 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of jojoba or another carrier is a good start, and you should patch test before applying.
Does ylang ylang essential oil grow hair?
There is no strong evidence that it does. The softness you notice most likely comes from the carrier oil and the massage. It is worth seeing a dermatologist if your hair loss is sudden or getting worse.
How many drops of ylang ylang should I use in hair oil?
Start with 1 drop per tablespoon (15 mL) of carrier oil. Two drops per tablespoon is the upper limit, and 2 to 4 drops per 2 tablespoons (30 mL) stays under the commonly cited 0.8% maximum for topical use. Drop sizes vary, so stay at the low end for your scalp.
How often can I use ylang ylang oil on my hair?
Once a week is a sensible place to start, and you can keep that rhythm if your hair and scalp respond well. There is no need to do it daily, and heavy oils can build up on fine hair.
Is ylang ylang oil good for curly or color-treated hair?
It can work with a little care. The carrier oil does the conditioning, so choose one suited to your hair, patch test, and use the low end of the dilution range. For color-treated hair, keep it to a light, well-rinsed pre-wash oil.
Can I add ylang ylang oil to shampoo or conditioner?
To shampoo, yes: mix 1 drop into the palmful you will actually use, one wash at a time. Never pour drops into the whole bottle. For conditioner, we would skip it and use the pre-wash or mask recipes above, where the carrier oil carries the scent.
Will it make my hair greasy?
Only if you use too much, or too heavy an oil for your hair. A light, well-rinsed pre-wash amount is unlikely to weigh down fine hair, while a thick layer of coconut oil left on for a long time can feel flat. Match the carrier to your hair and rinse thoroughly.
Is it ylang ylang or “yang yang”? How do you pronounce it?
It is spelled ylang ylang and pronounced ee-lang ee-lang, and it is often shortened to “ylang oil.” If you searched for “yang yang oil for hair,” most search engines autocorrect it, so you are in the right place.
