As a person who makes bath and body products, I often hear other makers ask if there are vanilla scented essential oils. While you do have some great options for this warm and inviting scent, the answer is no, there is not a vanilla essential oil. This guide will help you to navigate products that might be considered vanilla scented essential oils substitutes, even if they aren’t essential oils. Let’s get into it.
This blog post is all about options for vanilla scented essential oil alternatives.
Vanilla is one of the nicest scents, well loved by many people. It provides a sense of warmth and comfort. Vanilla is added to so many baked goods and food stuffs, that perhaps part of its charm is a signal that something good is coming.
Vanilla has a uniquely comforting scent that often reminds us of cozy evenings, baked treats, and a sense of nostalgia. Its rich, warm scent can feel like a cozy blanket, which is why it’s particularly beloved in the colder months when we naturally seek out warmth and comfort.
Although there are technically no vanilla scented essential oils, you can achieve great results with similar products in a different form, such as resins and absolutes. Below are some great options to try.
Why is There No Vanilla Essential Oil?
Essential oils are usually steam distilled, however, the vanilla plant does not produce enough aromatic compounds when steam distilled to produce an essential oil.
The options below are resins and absolutes, which can be steam distilled but often are solvent-extracted, creating a rich, complex scent profile, and carrying therapeutic benefit. These processes preserve the depth of the scent, making them perfect substitutes for vanilla even though they aren’t true essential oils.
Benzoin Resin – Styrax benzoin
Probably the most well-known of the vanilla scented essential oil alternatives substitute in the aromatherapy space is benzoin. Benzoin is a resin that may have healing benefits for the skin. As a resin, it’s strengths surround soothing chapped and irritated skin. It also has properties that are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and may have respiratory benefits. As cooler weather sets in, benzoin can be added in a small amount, up to 1% in a lip oil for cold weather. Or try adding benzoin to your winter body butter for extra soothing of dry, cracked hands.
Benzoin is also nice for grounding and general calming. If you are experiencing the extra push to complete projects before year end, try adding 2 drops of benzoin and 2 drops of lavender into a roller bottle of 10ml jojoba oil. Use on pulse points as needed throughout the day. Learn more about benzoin here!
Peru Balsam – Myroxylon balsamum
Peru balsam smells divine and like benzoin it is a resin. There are some bigger cautions surrounding Peru balsam, however. Although it may be helpful for dry, chapped or irritated skin, it also might be sensitizing for some people, especially those with allergies. Speak to a trained aromatherapist before using this topically, to help mitigate risk of reaction.
Peru balsam can be diffused to help alleviate stress. Resins like this one and benzoin can clog a water based ultrasonic or nebulizing diffuser. You can diffuse it by placing one to two drops onto a clay diffuser, felt diffuser, or candle diffuser. Remember to keep on eye on candle diffusers for safety and follow any guidelines set out by the manufacturer.
Peru balsam blends beautifully with spicy oils like cinnamon or clove for a warm, holiday-inspired scent. You can also pair it with citrus oils like sweet orange to add a hint of brightness that balances its sweet notes.
Tonka Bean Absolute – Dipteryx odorata
Tonka bean absolute is solvent extracted from the tonka bean. It has a sweet vanilla – caramel type scent with a bit of a spicy base note. It has been used in perfuming as a fairly popular ingredient, in particular to create masculine scents.
Tonka bean absolute may have antiseptic and expectorant properties. As with other vanilla scented essential oils, tonka may create a relaxing atmosphere. It may even encourage a romantic evening as it has been said that tonka been absolute is an aphrodisiac.
Vanilla Oleoresin – Vanilla planifolia
Vanilla oleoresin is created when the vanilla is solvent extracted such as in the process of making vanilla extract. The solvent is then removed to create vanilla oleoresin. Vanilla oleoresin is very dark brown to black and doesn’t always dissolve well in other substances. You may find it floating in formulations, and because it is so dark, it’s very noticeable. You may want to try infusing an ingredient with it first, then using it in your formulation.
Vanilla oleoresin can be used for stress relief and relaxation. You may find it helpful for nervous digestion issues, however, it’s important to remember to not ingest this or any of the other options on this list. Place one or two drops onto a cosmetic cotton pad and inhale.
Working With Thick Resins
Many of these options are quite thick. If you are having trouble getting them out of the bottle, warm them up in your hands for a few minutes or place the closed bottle in a pocket to warm it up.
It will be easier to work with them when you dilute them into a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil. These carrier oils have very little scent themselves allowing the fullness of the vanilla style scent to come through.
In fact, you may be able to buy them this way. Look for options that are already diluted from a trusted supplier. Just make sure the listing tells you which carrier oil is being used. It is also highly recommended that you wear gloves while working with these options. Thicker resins are very sticky and get everywhere. Trust me. The gloves are very helpful during blending and during clean up.
Expect to Pricier Product
Vanilla is an expensive and exotic ingredient and in the same way, some of these options are expensive as well. Expect to be paying quite a lot for some of these. It will be important to weight out the cost benefit of your choice. Pair this decision with sustainability. What will you use this product for and is it really necessary to have it? Think about which one you want to work with the most and start with just one at a time.
Vanilla Scented Essential Oil Blends
As mentioned above, there is no vanilla essential oil, however, if you would like to make vanilla scented blends then here are a few suggestions.
Sandalwood Vanilla Perfume
5 drops Sandalwood essential oil
3 drops Benzoin resin
9.5 ml Jojoba Oil
10 ml Roller bottle
Lavender Vanilla Room Mist
10 drops Lavender essential oil
4 drops Vanilla oleoresin
20 ml Distilled Water
10 ml Witch hazel
30 ml glass bottle with mister
Vanilla Rose Body Oil
8 drops Rose essential oil
3 drops Benzoin
15 ml Jojoba oil
15 ml Sweet almond oil
30 ml glass bottle with dropper
Special Considerations
As always, do a patch test before trying any new product, especially these ones. Many are known to be irritants or allergens. Make sure you look into the safety and usage rates for your choice and the appropriate dilution for your formulation.
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