Fragrance allergen

Myroxylon Balsamum Pereirae Balsam Extract

Balsam of Peru is a dark brown, vanilla-scented balsam collected from the trunk of a tree, mainly in El Salvador. Perfumers use it as a fixative for amber and vanilla notes. EU rules name it on labels and cap the use of its extracts.

Where it comes from

The SCCS says the resin is harvested from the balsam of Peru tree, Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae, after thermal stress, almost exclusively in El Salvador. ScenTree describes local workers incising the trunk to collect the balm, which is then diluted in alcohol to give the resinoid.

Smell and use

Sweet, balsamic and vanilla-like, with woody, powdery and resinous tones. The SCCS describes a pleasantly vanilla-like smelling dark brown liquid, and The Good Scents Company lists sweet, balsamic, vanilla, woody, powdery and resinous.

ScenTree says it is used as a fixative, a material that helps a scent last, for amber and vanilla notes or in floral compositions, and that it can add an animal-like touch to a balsamic note. The SCCS says it can improve taste or smell in soaps, shampoo and lipsticks, as well as sweets, tobacco and beverages.

On the label

Named on 1% of the 6,851 perfume ingredient lists we hold (73 perfumes).

EU
Annex III, entry 154. Must be named above 0.001% in leave-on products (0.01% rinse-off).
Great Britain
Not on Great Britain's list, so a GB label need not name it. The EU list does.

The SCCS lists Myroxylon pereirae in its highest band, ++++, meaning more than 1,000 published cases, and says it has long been used as a screening agent in baseline patch-test series. ScenTree says it must be named above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. IFRA's index lists it under both Restriction and Prohibition standards, and Oxford Biosciences gives a maximum of 0.4% for its oil or extract.

A list that does not name it does not prove it is absent: brands only have to name it above the threshold.

Frequency by concentration

  • Eau de parfum 1% of 4,929
  • Eau de toilette 0% of 1,228
  • Extrait 1% of 341
  • Parfum 5% of 194
  • Cologne 0% of 121
  • Body spray 10% of 49
  • Other 0% of 27

Share of the perfumes we hold a list for, in each concentration.

Named alongside

Share of the lists naming Myroxylon Balsamum Pereirae Balsam Extract that also name each of these.

Notes whose materials include it

Perfumes whose box names it

Common questions

What does balsam of Peru smell like?

Sweet, balsamic and vanilla-like, with woody and resinous tones. The SCCS describes a pleasantly vanilla-like smelling dark brown liquid, and ScenTree places it in the balsamic, vanillic family.

Where does balsam of Peru come from?

From the trunk of the balsam of Peru tree, harvested almost exclusively in El Salvador, according to the SCCS. ScenTree says workers incise the trunk and collect the exuded balm.

Why is balsam of Peru on my perfume label?

ScenTree says it is classed as an allergen under Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, so it must be named above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. Oxford Biosciences also lists a maximum of 0.4% for Myroxylon Pereirae oil or extract.