Geranium vs Ylang Ylang (Complete)
Geranium and Ylang Ylang (Complete) are both floral essential oils. Geranium carries a heart note (rosy, green), while Ylang Ylang (Complete) sits as a heart note (sweet, exotic). For topical use, Geranium tops out at 10%, while Ylang Ylang (Complete) tops out at 0.8%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.
Geranium vs Ylang Ylang (Complete) at a glance
| Attribute | Geranium | Ylang Ylang (Complete) |
|---|---|---|
| Latin name | Pelargonium graveolens | Cananga odorata |
| Aroma family | Floral | Floral |
| Perfumery note | Heart | Heart |
| Aroma | rosy, green | sweet, exotic |
| Chemical family | Monoterpenol | Sesquiterpene |
| Max topical dilution | 10% | 0.8% |
| Max facial dilution | 5% | 0.5% |
| Pregnancy | Generally suitable (well diluted) | Generally suitable (well diluted) |
| Children | Generally suitable (well diluted) | Generally suitable (well diluted) |
| Pets | Generally suitable (well diluted) | Not recommended |
| Extraction | Steam distillation | Steam distillation |
Which should you choose?
Geranium leans rosy, green, while Ylang Ylang (Complete) leans sweet, exotic — pick whichever aroma you want to lead the blend. For leave-on or sensitive-skin use, note that Ylang Ylang (Complete) needs the tighter 0.8% topical limit. On safety, Geranium is the safer choice around pets (Ylang Ylang (Complete) is best avoided). Always patch-test and dilute.
Plan safe amounts with our essential oil dilution calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Geranium and Ylang Ylang (Complete)?
Geranium and Ylang Ylang (Complete) are both floral essential oils. Geranium carries a heart note (rosy, green), while Ylang Ylang (Complete) sits as a heart note (sweet, exotic). For topical use, Geranium tops out at 10%, while Ylang Ylang (Complete) tops out at 0.8%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.
Can you blend Geranium and Ylang Ylang (Complete) together?
Yes — Geranium and Ylang Ylang (Complete) are commonly paired and complement each other in blends.
For education only — not medical or veterinary advice. Always patch-test and consult a qualified professional before use during pregnancy, on children, with pets, or with a health condition.