Well, while I'm happy to hear that your family has had good luck in using
vanilla in recipes, room fresheners, etc., the literature I have (Consumer's
Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients and Consumer's Dictionary of Medicines)
indicates that there are problems with putting it on your skin. Here is the
exact quotation:
"Vanilla Extract/vanillin: One part vanillin equals 400 parts vanilla pods.
The lethal dose in mice is 3 grams (30 grams to the ounce) per kilogram of
body weight.
A skin irritant that produces a burning sensation and eczema. May also
cause pigmentation of the skin."
Most of the soapmakers I know just use synthetic skin-safe vanilla
fragrance oils instead, to avoid that problem. I believe my fragrance
supplier (www.sweetcakes.com) also has vanilla lip balm flavor that is
skin safe and safe for *human* ingestion (in minute quantities). She
stocks it for use in lip balms and lipsticks. Perhaps this would be a
safer alternative to the vanilla extract?
- Ela
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(000)___(000) Ela Heyn
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[Posted in FML issue 2332]