Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract

Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract Description

_Styrax benzoin_ resin extract is derived from trees of the _Styrax benzoin_ family, native to Asia. This plant-based perfuming ingredient is used in cosmetics for its warm, vanilla like scent.

Although that’ll make your nose happy, this ingredient can sensitize skin. Research found that _Styrax benzoin_ resin extract contains many volatile compounds including cinnamic acid, cinnamyl cinnamate and benzyl cinnamate. Many cinnamic acid derivatives, including benzyl cinnamate, are known skin-sensitizers and cannot just be listed as “fragrance” on an ingredient list in the European Union when included in certain percentages due to this sensitizing ability.

_Styrax benzoin_ resin extract can also have antioxidant properties and may be used in preservative blends to help curb the presence of unwanted microorganisms within products due to the benzoic acid present in the resin.

Outside of cosmetics, _Styrax benzoin_ resin extract is used in the home care and food industries.

Like most resins, as a raw material, this substance appears as small, solid yellow-to-brown fragments.

It’s most often part of a preservative blend when used in cosmetics, with the blend’s recommended use levels being 0.4–0.8%.