Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract

Good

Plant extracts

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract at a glance

  • Natural ingredient known for its antioxidant benefits
  • Serves as a skin-soothing ingredient
  • Also used as a flavouring agent in many foods and lip products
  • Its aromatic component (vanillin) is considered non-sensitising

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract description

_Vanilla planifolia_ fruit extract is a natural ingredient used in skin care primarily for its antioxidant benefits. The vanilla plant’s seed, commonly referred to as vanilla bean, is a source of catechins (also known as polyphenols), which have antioxidant activity and serve as skin-soothing agents. This edible ingredient is also used as a flavouring agent in many foods, and is also sometimes added to lip balms, glosses, and lipsticks to create a pleasant taste. The aromatic component of vanilla is known as vanillin, and it’s a significant source of antioxidant compounds that help stop the oxidation of proteins and lipids in skin. Despite vanilla’s unique, familiar scent, it’s one of the few such plants considered non-sensitising, with the extract form being very mild, the oil form being stronger yet still well tolerated, even on skin prone to eczema. A safety assessment of different types of vanilla by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review board revealed that while _Vanilla planifolia_ was non-irritating and non-sensitizing, another form known as _Vanilla tahitensis_ triggered irritation and sensitisation when tested on human skin at a relatively low level (0.8%). Therefore, it’s important to avoid this form of vanilla in skin care.

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract references

  • Pharmacological Research, March 2019, pages 208-213
  • British Journal of Dermatology, February 2019, pages 253-254
  • Oncotarget, March 2016, pages 14,616-14,627
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, June 2014, issue 3, pages 221-230
  • Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, Volume 74, Issue 7, 2010, pages 1504-1506
  • The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2010, pages 105-114
  • Pharmacognosy Review, January-June 2010, pages 68-76

Peer-reviewed, substantiated scientific research is used to assess ingredients in this dictionary. Regulations regarding constraints, permitted concentration levels and availability vary by country and region.

Ingredient ratings

Best

Proven and supported by independent studies. Outstanding active ingredient for most skin types or concerns.

Good

Necessary to improve a formula's texture, stability, or penetration.

Average

Generally non-irritating but may have aesthetic, stability, or other issues that limit its usefulness.

Bad

There is a likelihood of irritation. Risk increases when combined with other problematic ingredients.

Worst

May cause irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc. May offer benefit in some capability but overall, proven to do more harm than good.

unknown

We couldn't find this in our ingredient dictionary. We log all missing ingredients and make continuous updates.

Not rated

We have not yet rated this ingredient because we have not had a chance to review the research on it.