Anisha Riggs
Vanillin is a chemical compound found in vanilla that is responsible for its sweet, warm and milky aroma. It is a common ingredient in fragrances, but it can cause discolouration, ranging from light tan to dark brown. The higher the concentration of vanillin, the more discolouration will occur. Many fragrances will have a 1-2% vanillin concentration, but some can have up to 9%. This article will explore how much vanillin your fragrances can have before they start to discolour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vanillin concentration in fragrances | 1-2% |
| Vanillin concentration in Creamsickle fragrance | 6.15% |
| Vanillin concentration in Relaxing fragrance | 9% |
| Vanillin concentration in an unknown fragrance | 4% |
| Vanillin concentration in an unknown fragrance | 7.2% |
What You'll Learn
- The higher the concentration of vanillin, the more discolouration will occur
- The depth of discolouration is affected by the colour of your oils
- The discolouration is darkest on the top of the soap
- The discolouration is a reaction to oxygen exposure (oxidation)
- The fragrance information should be checked before purchasing the product
The higher the concentration of vanillin, the more discolouration will occur
Some fragrances will have a 1-2% vanillin concentration that may not be noticeable when you smell the product. However, it is always important to check the fragrance information before purchasing, as the higher the concentration of vanillin, the more discolouration will occur. For example, a fragrance with a 9% vanillin content should have gotten darker than it did. In another case, a fragrance with a 4% vanillin content plus 3.2% ethyl vanillin for a total of 7.2% vanillin content turned the top of the soap a dark brown colour due to oxidation.
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The depth of discolouration is affected by the colour of your oils
Vanillin, also known as methyl vanillin or 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, is an organic compound with the molecular formula C8H8O3. Its functional groups include aldehyde, ether, and phenol. When vanilla oxidises, it begins to turn brown. Oxidation is caused by the loss of electrons during a reaction with an oxidative molecule, atom or ion. Light, heat, water, and exposure to air increase the reaction rate of oxidation. This discolouration doesn't just happen in soap, it also happens in other products that include fragrances that are comprised of vanillin, including lotions, shampoos, bath bombs, and candles.
The higher the concentration of vanilla in the fragrance, the more discolouration will occur. Many fragrances will have a 1-2% vanillin concentration that may or may not be noticeable when you smell the fragrance, but it will be listed in the fragrance information.
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The discolouration is darkest on the top of the soap
Many fragrances will have a 1-2% vanillin concentration that may or may not be noticeable when you smell the fragrance, but it will be listed in the fragrance information. The higher the concentration of vanilla in the fragrance, the more discolouration.
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The discolouration is a reaction to oxygen exposure (oxidation)
The discolouration caused by vanillin can range from light tan to dark brown. The depth of the discolouration is also affected by the colour of the oils used. For example, if the oil has a yellow colour, the fragrance will turn it a darker brown.
The discolouration caused by vanillin tends to concentrate on the top of the product. This is because the centre of the product has not been exposed to the air.
To prevent discolouration, you can use a different fragrance and colour on a large portion of your product.
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The fragrance information should be checked before purchasing the product
The fragrance information should always be checked before purchasing the product, even if you don't suspect that it will contain vanillin. Many fragrances will have a 1-2% vanillin concentration that may or may not be noticeable when you smell the product, but it will be listed in the fragrance information. The higher the concentration of vanilla in the fragrance, the more discoloration will occur.
For example, the fragrance 'Creamsickle' has a 6.15% vanillin content, which is why it has a super dark colour. The fragrance 'Relaxing' from Brambleberry has a 9% vanillin content, but it is unclear why it did not get darker. The vanillin content of another fragrance is 4% plus 3.2% ethyl vanillin for a total of 7.2%. The discoloration tends to concentrate on the top, possibly due to oxidation.
The depth of discoloration is also affected by the colour of the oils used. For example, the fragrance 'Hansel and Gretel's House' turned a gingerbread house soap a darker brown when goat milk was added, turning the soap batter to a medium yellow colour before pouring.
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Frequently asked questions
The higher the concentration of vanillin in a fragrance, the more discolouration will occur. Many fragrances will have a 1-2% vanillin concentration that may or may not be noticeable when you smell the product. However, some fragrances have a vanillin content of up to 9%.
The colour of your fragrance will depend on the colour of your oils. Discolouration can range from light tan to dark brown.
You can use a different fragrance and colour on a large portion of your soap. You should always check the fragrance information before purchasing the product, even if you don't suspect that it will contain vanillin.
Discolouration is caused by a chemical called vanillin, also called methyl vanillin or 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde. It is an organic compound with the molecular formula C8H8O3.
