Description

Cananga odorata flower water is a hydrosol obtained through the steam distillation of the flowers of the Cananga odorata plant, commonly known as ylang-ylang. This water is used in various cosmetic, personal care, and therapeutic applications for its mild aroma and potential skin benefits.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Components:
Major Constituents: Contains water-soluble components from the ylang-ylang flowers, including trace amounts of essential oils, esters (such as linalyl acetate), and terpenes (like linalool and geraniol).
Minor Constituents: May include other soluble compounds from the flowers, contributing to its fragrance and potential benefits.
Structure: The flower water is a hydrosol that retains the essence of the essential oils and other compounds from the ylang-ylang flowers in a water-soluble form.

Physical Properties

Color: Clear to slightly yellowish, depending on the concentration of flower extract and the extraction process.
Odor: Lightly floral, sweet, and exotic, characteristic of ylang-ylang.
Texture: Liquid with a watery consistency.
Solubility: Completely soluble in water.

Production Process

Harvesting: Fresh ylang-ylang flowers are collected from mature plants.
Distillation: The flowers are subjected to steam distillation, where steam is passed through the plant material, extracting essential oils and other water-soluble compounds.
Condensation: The steam, now carrying the essential oils, is condensed back into liquid form, separating the essential oil and flower water.
Filtration: The flower water is filtered to remove any impurities and to ensure clarity.

Applications

Cananga odorata flower water is used in various products and applications:

Cosmetics: Incorporated into facial toners, masks, and serums for its soothing and fragrant properties.
Personal Care: Used in body mists, hair care products, and bath products for its mild, pleasant aroma and potential skin benefits.
Aromatherapy: Employed as a mild aromatic agent in diffusers and sprays.
Fragrance: Used in perfumes and scented products to impart a subtle floral note.

Safety

Cananga odorata flower water is generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products when used as directed. It is important to ensure that the flower water is free from contaminants and meets quality standards. Individuals with allergies to ylang-ylang or related plants should use it with caution and consult a healthcare professional if necessary.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Sustainable Sourcing: The production of Cananga odorata flower water should adhere to sustainable harvesting practices to minimize environmental impact.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that the flower water complies with cosmetic regulations and safety standards is essential for consumer safety.
Quality Control: Rigorous quality control measures should be in place to maintain the purity and effectiveness of the flower water in formulations.

INCI


Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
Synonyms:

CAS: 83863-30-3 EC number 281-092-1