Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Essence and Extract

Vanilla is an ingredient loved for its tase in food, flavor in perfumes and cosmetics, and antioxidant properties all-around. Vanilla beans are a rich source of antioxidants. 

Vanilla Essential Oil for Skin?

Vanilla beans need a solvent to release their aromatic compounds. By nature, then, they cannot be called essential oils, though it can be rather common to hear people refer to them erroneously as such. There are vanilla extracts, vanilla infusions, vanilla absolutes, and vanilla fragrance oils—but no true pure vanilla essential oil! Topically, careful dilution and formulation of each vanilla iteration is necessary.

Vanilla and Sensitive Skin

Vanillin is the aromatic part of vanilla, and it’s antioxidant-rich. While its aroma is popular and loved around the globe, it is fortunately considered non-sensitizing, as the extract, especially, is known to be mild, even for sensitive skin! Still, we recommend dilution and formulation with sensitive skin in mind.

Vanilla: Anti-Aging Benefits

Vanilla's antioxidants help contend with the damage of free radicals and, purportedly, provide anti-aging benefits. In cosmetics, it also imparts a delectable natural aroma.

Vanilla, Vitamins, and Healthy Skin

Vanilla is a good source of B-vitamins like niacin, thiamin, Vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid which play an important role in the maintenance of healthy skin. The antioxidant properties of vanilla protect your skin from damage caused by environmental pollutants and toxins (2). You can prepare a scrub to revive your skin from within. All you need to do is slice open 5 vanilla beans to scrape out its seeds. Add these seeds along with 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 2 drops vanilla essential oil to freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix the ingredients and apply it on your face. Massage for a few minutes and then rinse off with warm water. Then, splash some cold water on your face. Vanilla extract comprises of small amounts of B-complex vitamins like niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, Vitamin B6 and thiamine. These vitamins aid in enzyme synthesis, nervous system function and regulation of body metabolism. Vanilla extract also contains traces of minerals like magnesium, calcium, manganese, potassium, iron and zinc.

The Environmental Working Group rates it in the 'green' zone with purported low toxicity concerns.