Ingredient

Vanilla Extract (Vanilla Planifolia)

Vanilla planifolia

You think vanilla’s boring? Then you’ve never smelled the real deal. Whether it’s a simple infusion or a strong absolute, natural vanilla extracts are a delight to the senses.

There are many ways to extract the beautiful, comforting scent of vanilla pods. The most potent is certainly vanilla absolute, obtained by solvent extraction, which yields a thick, deep brown, concentrated liquid. But the pods can also be soaked in hot water, oils, propylene glycol, glycerine, and probably more, to achieve a wide range of scent intensities and benefits.

What are the benefits of vanilla extracts in cosmetics?

Depending on concentration, scent and benefits can slightly differ, but generally, vanilla is loved for:

* Its divine, sweet, and spicy fragrance

* Its soothing and softening benefits for skin and scalp.

* Its cleansing properties.

* Its humectant effect, drawing moisture into the skin.

Spotlights on the benefits of vanillin

Vanillin naturally occurs in the pods and is the main source of the characteristic vanilla scent. It has been studied for decades and has shown antioxidant and antimicrobial properties when applied to the skin. Since 1858, chemists have been able to synthesize the compound, creating a cheaper alternative to natural vanilla that is still widely used today.

Why is natural vanilla so rare?

Vanilla beans are produced by an orchid that grows in tropical climates near the equator. Not only does it need hand pollination within a few hours of its flowers opening, but the resulting pods must undergo a long, complex process before becoming the dark brown spice we can buy. If proper temperatures and humidity levels are not met, the pods can become sour or moldy. Like all good things, vanilla requires experience and time.