Ingredient Spotlight: Yon-Ka Quintessence

Ingredient Spotlight · Signature Active

The Yon-Ka Quintessence

Five essential oils, one signature. Since 1954, lavender, geranium, rosemary, cypress and thyme have formed the aromatic heart of our formulas.

The portrait of the complex that makes a Yon-Ka treatment recognizable with your eyes closed.

PurifyingToningSoothingRegeneratingAromatherapy

Shop our Quintessence treatments

Common name: Yon-Ka Quintessence; the five essential oil complex.
INCI name: Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil; Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil; Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil; Cupressus Sempervirens Oil; Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil.
Family, type: Essential oil complex; multi-functional phyto-aromatic active.
Found in nature: True lavender flowers and rose geranium leaves, rosemary leaves and cypress twigs, flowering thyme tops: five plants from around the Mediterranean.
How it's obtained: Steam distillation of each plant, then blending of the five essential oils according to the original Yon-Ka formula.

Typical concentration: A few tenths of a percent to a few percent depending on the treatment; up to 99.6% ingredients of natural origin in our Lotions.
Organoleptic properties: Appearance: clear oils, colorless to pale yellow; Scent: a fresh, herbaceous and floral aromatic bouquet, instantly recognizable.
Physical characteristics: Oil-soluble and volatile; sensitive to light and heat; contain naturally occurring compounds (linalool, limonene, geraniol) declared on the label⁵.
Benefits: Purifying, sanitizing, toning, astringent, soothing, revitalizing, regenerating.
Cosmetic indications: All skin types; especially dull, tired, blemish-prone or toneless skin. Carefully dosed for sensitive skin.

Did you know?A little history

In 1954, three brothers with a passion for botany founded Yon-Ka around one conviction: plants care for the skin.

Their very first formula, Lotion Yon-Ka, was built around a blend of five essential oils chosen for how they complement one another: lavender soothes, geranium balances, rosemary tones, cypress tightens, thyme purifies. That balance, named Quintessence, has never changed since.

It embodies the founding idea of the brand, the phyto-aromatic skincare experience: the efficacy of the plant active and the sensory pleasure of aromatherapy in a single gesture.

General useEssential oils in everyday life

An essential oil is the aromatic concentrate of a plant, obtained by distillation. Dozens of pounds of lavender flowers yield barely a liter of essential oil: that shows how concentrated the active molecules are.

True lavender is one of the most studied oils for its calming and skin-repairing properties¹. Rosemary is recognized for its antioxidant and toning compounds³. Thyme, cypress and geranium have long been used for their purifying and balancing properties².

An essential oil is never applied undiluted to the face. In cosmetics, it is always diluted and dosed by formulators, in compliance with cosmetic regulations⁵.

Cosmetic useIts properties on skin

PurifyingThyme and rosemary cleanse the skin and help limit the growth of blemish-causing bacteria^2,3.
ToningRosemary and cypress stimulate microcirculation, tighten pores and restore vitality to the complexion.
SoothingTrue lavender calms discomfort and supports skin repair¹.
BalancingRose geranium helps regulate sebum production and suits dry and oily skin alike.
RegeneratingThe complex supports skin renewal and leaves skin fresher and clearer.
SensorialThe scent of Quintessence, breathed in deeply during application, brings instant relaxation: this is the Yon-Ka ritual.

FormulationQuintessence at Yon-Ka

Quintessence is found in nearly all of our face and body formulas. It plays two distinct roles, which you can spot in each product's INCI list.

Main active

The 5 essential oils at the top of the formula

In the Lotions, Emulsion Pure or Creme PG, Quintessence is the leading active: it purifies, tones and balances the skin. These are the products where its scent comes through most fully.

Lotion Yon-Ka PS · Lotion Yon-Ka PNG · Emulsion Pure · Creme 15 · Creme PG · Juvenil · Creme 55 · Men's Lotion YK

Synergy active

Paired with other plant actives

In glow creams, firming treatments and boosters, Quintessence extends and completes the action of the main active (grapefruit, rosemary, beech buds…) while adding its sensory signature.

Pamplemousse PNG · Pamplemousse PS · Phyto 58 PNG · Phyto 58 PS · Phyto 52 · Phyto 152 · Booster Nutri +

In cosmeticsUses

Toning lotions and mists, sprayed on after cleansing;
Purifying emulsions and serums for blemish-prone skin;
Face creams for balance, glow or firmness;
Body care for detox and contouring;
Men's care: after-shave and toning.

The Yon-Ka approach

Quintessence isn't a fragrance added at the end of the formula: it's designed as an active from the start. Each treatment doses it according to the skin's needs, then pairs it with targeted actives. And because it contains natural aromatic compounds, we always declare them on our labels.

The science of the active, the sensoriality of the plant.

How to useAdding it to your ritual

The founding gesture
Morning and night, after cleansing, mist the Lotion Yon-Ka suited to your skin over your face and neck.
Breathe
Close your eyes and breathe in deeply: the scent of Quintessence is designed to calm the body as much as the skin.
Follow on damp skin
Apply your serum then your cream while skin is still fresh to seal in hydration.

Good to knowStorage and precautions

Essential oils are volatile and light-sensitive: close your bottles tightly and store them away from heat. A fading scent is a sign that a product has been open for a long time.

Our formulas are dosed for excellent tolerance and tested under dermatological control. Naturally occurring aromatic compounds (linalool, limonene, geraniol, citronellol…) are listed in the INCI list in accordance with cosmetic regulations⁵: if you're allergic to any of them, check the product's ingredient list. On very reactive skin, patch test behind the ear first. If in doubt, ask your Yon-Ka esthetician.

Go furtherSources

Cavanagh H.M.A., Wilkinson J.M. Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytotherapy Research, 2002; 16(4): 301-308. PubMed
Orchard A., van Vuuren S. Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017. PubMed
de Oliveira J.R. et al. Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) as therapeutic and prophylactic agent. Journal of Biomedical Science, 2019; 26: 5. PubMed
COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe), cosmetic ingredient database. cosmileeurope.eu
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, Annex III (fragrance allergens requiring declaration). eur-lex.europa.eu