Lavender vs Ylang Ylang (Complete)
Lavender and Ylang Ylang (Complete) are both floral essential oils. Lavender carries a heart note (soft, floral), while Ylang Ylang (Complete) sits as a heart note (sweet, exotic). For topical use, Lavender has no specific dermal limit, while Ylang Ylang (Complete) tops out at 0.8%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.
Lavender vs Ylang Ylang (Complete) at a glance
| Attribute | Lavender | Ylang Ylang (Complete) |
|---|---|---|
| Latin name | Lavandula angustifolia | Cananga odorata |
| Aroma family | Floral | Floral |
| Perfumery note | Heart | Heart |
| Aroma | soft, floral, herbal | sweet, exotic |
| Chemical family | Ester | Sesquiterpene |
| Max topical dilution | No specific limit (keep ≤3% adult body) | 0.8% |
| Max facial dilution | No specific limit (keep ≤1% adult face) | 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?
Lavender leans soft, floral, 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, Lavender is the safer choice around pets (Ylang Ylang (Complete) is best avoided). Always patch-test and dilute.
Not sure how much to use? Try the free dilution calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Lavender and Ylang Ylang (Complete)?
Lavender and Ylang Ylang (Complete) are both floral essential oils. Lavender carries a heart note (soft, floral), while Ylang Ylang (Complete) sits as a heart note (sweet, exotic). For topical use, Lavender has no specific dermal limit, while Ylang Ylang (Complete) tops out at 0.8%; everyday blends stay around 1–3%.
Can you blend Lavender and Ylang Ylang (Complete) together?
Yes — Lavender 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.