How we scored it
Volatile oil of Tolu balsam resin: benzyl benzoate, benzyl cinnamate and cinnamic/benzoic acids are biosynthesised in the tree, so the aromatic rings are natural, not petrochemical; nothing added, 1.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.
Where it comes from
Obtained from the balsam that exudes from cuts in the bark of the Tolu balsam tree (Myroxylon balsamum), native to Colombia and neighbouring South American countries. No synthetic route exists for the balsam oil as defined by this INCI name.
In plain English
A fragrant volatile oil obtained from the resin that exudes from the bark of the Tolu balsam tree, a South American species. It gives perfumes and toiletries a sweet, warm, vanilla-like balsamic scent. The aroma comes from natural esters and acids such as benzyl benzoate and cinnamates.
CosIng definition: Myroxylon Balsamum Balsam Oil is a volatile oil of the balsam obtained from the bark exudate of Balsam Tolu Tree, Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms, Leguminosae
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2MYROXYLON BALSAMUM BALSAM OIL. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3MYROXYLON BALSAMUM BALSAM OIL. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=MYROXYLON%20BALSAMUM%20BALSAM%20OIL