You’re seeking the perfect scent for your DIY projects and aromatherapy. You’ve been drawn to vanilla essential oil. But as you dive deeper, you hit a snag – the term “vanilla essential oil” seems to be surrounded by confusion.
Many ask this as they explore the fragrant world of botanical extracts. You might have seen bottles labeled “vanilla essential oil.” You may wonder if this label is accurate.
Vanilla’s popular aroma is captivating. But, genuine vanilla essential oil doesn’t exist. Extracting an essential oil from vanilla beans using traditional methods, like steam distillation, is very hard and inefficient1.
This method doesn’t effectively capture the delicate aromatic compounds found in vanilla beans.
So, if there is no real vanilla essential oil, what is being sold under this name? We are here to uncover the secrets of “vanilla essential oil.” We will unveil the fragrant possibilities that await.
Decoding the Vanilla Aroma
To fully grasp the mystery of vanilla essential oil, we need to explore two primary forms of vanilla used in aromatherapy and fragrance applications – vanilla absolute and vanilla oleoresin. Vanilla oleoresin is an extract obtained through a process involving solvents2.
It captures a wider range of aromatic components compared to the absolute but may contain trace amounts of the solvent used for extraction.
This is commonly diluted with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, as in the case of vanilla bean essential oil blend. You can enjoy discounted prices and free shipping on this blend, subject to certain conditions.
Vanilla absolute is produced through a more complex method known as solvent extraction, resulting in a highly concentrated and potent extract that beautifully embodies the rich and full-bodied vanilla aroma. Shay & Company offers vanilla absolute in its “Vanilla Absolute Essential Oil Blend“.
This particular blend combines the vanilla absolute with exotic oils3 for a sophisticated aroma. Both absolutes and oleoresins are often used interchangeably when it comes to blending with essential oils.
Their thicker consistency compared to standard essential oils makes them ideal for enriching oil blends and creating beautiful diffuser blends. However, each possesses unique characteristics and offers distinct aromatic nuances.
Why Not Vanilla Extract?
You might be wondering, can’t you use vanilla extract instead? Vanilla extract, which is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol, is great for cooking. But it’s not the best choice for aromatherapy or essential oil blends.
The alcohol content in vanilla extract can interfere with the synergy and delicate balance of other essential oils in blends. This can impact their therapeutic properties.
Why Choose Vanilla Absolute or Oleoresin?
Vanilla absolute and vanilla oleoresin boast a wealth of benefits, ranging from their intoxicatingly sweet scent to their potential to enhance relaxation and uplift the mood.
Emotional Comfort
Think back to childhood memories – baking with loved ones, the irresistible scent of a vanilla candle filling your home. The scent of vanilla is widely known to promote feelings of comfort and relaxation, evoking a sense of well-being and easing tension.
This can be particularly soothing for individuals experiencing stress or anxiety. It’s important to note that personal experiences with essential oils can vary, and while many individuals find vanilla’s aroma comforting, individual responses to specific scents can differ based on preferences.
Soothing Sweetness
Unlike sugary treats, indulging in the aroma of vanilla through diffusion doesn’t affect blood sugar levels or involve consuming any calories.
Incorporating vanilla absolute or vanilla oleoresin into diffuser blends lets you savor the sweetness without jeopardizing your healthy eating goals.
Many people incorporate a car diffuser for a longer-lasting enjoyment of these fragrant oils.
Aromatic Versatility
These extracts seamlessly blend with other essential oils, creating a harmonious synergy of aromas. Experimenting with combinations like lavender and chamomile alongside vanilla creates relaxing sleep blends, while uplifting citrus notes combined with vanilla create invigorating and cheerful aromas for morning diffusion4.
Selecting Your Perfect Vanilla Scent Oil
When deciding between vanilla absolute and vanilla oleoresin, it’s important to consider your needs. Vanilla oleoresin is ideal for aromatherapy and personal care—it blends effortlessly into diffuser recipes and works beautifully in DIY beauty products like body lotions, offering a soft, authentic vanilla scent thats subtle yet captivating. Its diluted nature lets you enjoy the soothing notes of vanilla without overwhelming your senses.
If you’re looking for a way to get started, I came across something that might be worth checking out. The Gya Labs Vanilla Essential Oil has a lovely, true-to-vanilla aroma and works well in both diffusers and skincare recipes. It’s a convenient option if you want to explore vanilla’s calming and aromatic benefits without hunting for hard-to-find extracts. You can find it here.
For vanilla essence oil perfume or when crafting complex essential oil blends with bold, rich base notes, vanilla absolute shines through. Vanilla aromatherapy oil perfume captivates with its warm, creamy aroma, evoking comfort and elegance in every spritz. If you’re looking for more natural oils that help with relaxation, you can check out our guide on the 12 best natural oils for anxiety relief.
Quality Assurance
Whether opting for absolute or oleoresin, ensuring a high-quality vanilla bean essential oil that aligns with responsible and ethical sourcing practices is paramount. Look for organic options when available, and don’t hesitate to contact customer service.
Be sure to ask questions to learn more about their extraction processes and sustainability practices.
If ordering internationally, confirm the business’ shipping policies and lead times, so you know what to expect. Be sure to look for a Certified Organic vanilla bean essential oil blend whenever possible for purity.
When storing these valuable oils, consider opting for an amber glass bottle. This will preserve the integrity and aromatic potency of your vanilla essence oils.
Enjoying Vanilla Essential Oil
Now that you understand what vanilla essential oil is (and what it isn’t) let’s explore various methods of enjoying this rich scent in everyday life.
Vanilla is extracted from the bean pods of the vanilla plant, which is a species of orchid. Vanilla planifolia is the species most commonly used commercially.
The calming properties of vanilla essential oil are not just anecdotal; its rich aroma has been shown to activate the brain’s relaxation response.”
Dr. Jane Buckle
While vanilla essential oil is versatile and beneficial, getting the right quantities and combinations can make all the difference in maximizing its effects. Below are some step-by-step recipes that show you exactly how to use vanilla essential oil in your wellness routine.
Diffuse for Serenity
Vanilla essential oil can help create a calm, serene environment when diffused. Here’s how to blend it for optimal results:
Ingredients:
- 3 drops vanilla essential oil (or vanilla oleoresin if using that instead)
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 drop sandalwood essential oil
- Water (as required by your diffuser)
Instructions:
- Fill your diffuser with the recommended amount of water.
- Add the vanilla, lavender, and sandalwood oils to the water.
- Turn on your diffuser and enjoy the calming, aromatic atmosphere for stress relief or relaxation.
Tip: Pairing vanilla with lavender enhances the calming effect, while sandalwood brings grounding warmt
Luxurious Bath Salts
Combine Epsom salt with a few drops of vanilla aromatherapy oil. You can add this combination to warm bath water. This promotes relaxation.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 1 cup Himalayan pink salt or sea salt
- 8 drops vanilla essential oil
- 4 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional for extra skin hydration)
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Epsom salt and Himalayan pink salt.
- Add the vanilla and lavender essential oils, followed by the coconut oil if you’re using it.
- Stir everything together until the salts are evenly coated with the oils.
- Store the mixture in an airtight jar.
- When you’re ready for a relaxing bath, pour ½ cup of the mixture into warm bath water and soak for 20–30 minutes.
Tip: Add a handful of dried lavender buds or rose petals for an extra indulgent experience.
Personalized Skincare
Vanilla’s antioxidant properties make it suitable for DIY skincare. It also serves as a fantastic compliment to other beneficial oils, like sweet orange oil for a touch of citrus5.
Adding it to creams or serums can potentially contribute to a brighter complexion. Just always dilute it in a carrier oil for topical application.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons jojoba oil (or any other carrier oil such as sweet almond or coconut oil)
- 5 drops vanilla essential oil
- 2 drops chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops frankincense essential oil
Instructions:
- In a small bottle or container, combine the carrier oil with the essential oils.
- Shake or stir to blend the ingredients thoroughly.
- Apply 3–4 drops to your face and neck, gently massaging it into the skin using upward strokes.
- Use daily for a soft, radiant complexion.
Tip: You can also use this blend as a body oil to soothe dry skin and promote relaxation.
Aromatherapy Blends
Explore combining vanilla essence oil with other complementary essential oils. Create unique aromatic experiences tailored to your mood.
This opens the door to create both soothing and uplifting combinations. Be sure to avoid contact with eyes and dilute the oils appropriately before use.
Always do your research regarding potential allergic reactions and exercise oil safety measures for personal well-being.
Ingredients:
- 3 drops vanilla essential oil
- 3 drops bergamot essential oil
- 2 drops orange essential oil
- 2 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
Instructions:
- In your diffuser or a spray bottle with water, mix the essential oils together.
- If using a spray bottle, shake well and spritz the air around you. If using a diffuser, follow the diffuser’s instructions for adding water and oils.
- Enjoy the light, uplifting aroma that promotes a sense of calm and mental clarity.
Tip: This blend is excellent for boosting your mood while relieving stress. Use it in the evening after a long day or during meditation sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vanilla essential oil good for?
Vanilla essential oil (absolute or oleoresin) is a versatile oil. It may relax, uplift mood, and add a nice scent to DIY blends and personal care products.
Many find it useful for aromatherapy. Its rich, gourmand scent blends well with citrus and lavender oils. This allows for personalized, unique blends.
Vanilla aromatherapy oil is often used in starter kits for those who are new to essential oil blends.
Its warm, inviting scent is ideal for calming aromatherapy blends.
Why is there no vanilla essential oil?
There is no genuine vanilla essential oil extracted using traditional methods. This is because these standard methods fail to capture vanilla’s fragile fragrance compounds effectively. Instead, you’ll often find extracts like vanilla absolute and vanilla oleoresin.
They provide a more true-to-vanilla scent profile.
Why is vanilla essential oil so expensive?
Authentic vanilla, whether absolute or oleoresin, comes with a higher price tag. The source plant, Vanilla planifolia, is quite labor-intensive to grow and harvest. Vanilla is a tropical plant, so shipping costs are a factor.
The extraction methods are also complex, involving extensive time and expertise. SULU ORGANICS provides their Certificate of Analysis to verify the legitimacy of their vanilla absolute.
Their vanilla oleoresin extract combines a highly concentrated vanilla extract with fractionated coconut oil for greater accessibility to individuals looking to incorporate this scent into their daily routine.
These contributing factors lead to the premium price point of authentic vanilla. This is in comparison to cheaper synthetic vanilla fragrance oils.
What essential oil smells closest to vanilla?
No essential oil exactly matches the vanilla bean scent. But, some oils have sweet, creamy notes similar to vanilla.
Benzoin essential oil has a warm, vanilla-like scent. It blends well into comforting mixes. Balsam of Peru has similar qualities.
Another contender is Tonka Bean essential oil. It has a sweet, vanilla-like aroma.
Each essential oil has unique therapeutic properties. Use them accordingly, following oil safety protocols. It’s important to explore a range of essential oils with vanilla-like qualities.
Then you can make your own decision. This allows you to uncover the perfect oil that matches your preference.
Conclusion
Vanilla essential oil has a pleasant aroma. But, it’s more than that. It’s a versatile tool for improving your wellness routine. Its calming effects in a diffuser can elevate both mind and body. Its nourishing benefits in skincare can do the same.
The DIY recipes offer simple, practical ways to use it daily. Vanilla aromatherapy oil works well with other essential oils. So, it suits a luxurious bath or a skincare blend. It creates a balanced, soothing experience.
Its emotional benefits, like reducing stress, make it a great companion in tough times. The oil’s versatility and natural sweetness make it ideal for self-care.
Be sure to choose high-quality vanilla essence oil to ensure safety and effectiveness. Try different recipes to find what works best for you. Enjoy the calming, grounding effects of this essential oil. Make vanilla essential oil a staple in your wellness routine. Embrace its holistic benefits.
- https://www.wixysoap.com/blogs/wixy-soap-blog/the-truth-about-vanilla-why-you-have-been-tricked-if-the-bottle-says-vanilla-essential-oil?srsltid=AfmBOophchLiDEKmHYROhfQ7mEoXoK3Ptll5kwOto0vRFyiPywaAhqf1[↩]
- https://essentially-you-oils.com/2019/02/14/the-difference-between-vanilla-extract-vanilla-absolute-and-vanilla-oleoresin/[↩]
- https://shayandcompany.com/product-category/natural-oils-liquids/exotic-oils[↩]
- https://houseofaja.com/blogs/wellness/transform-home-atmosphere-emotional-well-being-essential-oils?srsltid=AfmBOoorcuOOXc50UMIHQY1g3FVXULfeD79k4YOvBApwIv3ZXtr7mznT[↩]
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