Guide To Vanillin Content In Fragrances

Does Vanillin content in fragrance oils matter?

Vanillin is used in fragrance oils when the scent of vanilla is required. It can be a naturally occurring ingredient, as its formed on the outside of the vanilla bean, however most Vanillin is synthetically produced within a lab.

 

Fragrance oils that contain Vanillin will oxidise faster than fragrance oils that do not contain this ingredient. This oxidation causes the fragrance oils to become darker in colour over time. The soy waxes that we use are designed to help combat this, however when the wax and fragrance come in contact with metal, such as the tins we use for the Essentials range; this can cause changes in the colour of the wax where it makes contact.

 

You may notice that over time the outer edge of the candle may turn a rusty orange colour. This discolouration is a mixture of the vanillin oxidising when coming in contact with the metal. We coat the inside of our tins with a water based non toxic sealer; which helps to reduce this happening; however fragrances with high vanillin content can interact with the metal through this sealant barrier, but at a reduced scale.

The colour change generally shows up after a week or two, once the wax has fully cured, or it can take much longer. It just depends on the formula of the specific oils that are used. If the candle is kept its natural colour then this will be more noticeable. If dyes are added to the candle then this helps to mask any colour changes around the edge, and certain colours completely eliminate the noticeability all together.

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It is important to reiterate here that discolouring does not affect scent throw, or the safety of the candle. It is simply important to be aware of Vanillin for the appearance of your candle, particularly if it will not be burned for a while after production. This is why we advise using our Classic, Signature or Bespoke ranges for decorative candles as they come in glass or ceramic containers which will not discolour.

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When ordering a candle that is to be used in a tin, we can advise if the fragrance you choose has Vanillin present. We don't list these on our website as suppliers can change their formulations constantly and we do not wish to present the risk of invalid safety and technical documentation.

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Unfortunately we do not offer refunds on candle products which discolour around the edges due to the presence of Vanillin, and you will see online that many forums, professional guidance etc explaining the issue in depth and how it cannot be completely avoided when using metal tins.

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In addition to Vanillin, some other ingredients in fragrances can cause some discolouration in metal tins when used in very high concentrations. This is primarily citrus oils and cinnamon; however this is far less prominent than that of Vanillin.

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We are always here to answer questions, and hope this explanation clears up any confusion. If you have any further questions then please contact us directly and we will be happy to assist.

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Mike

(Owner - Invicta Aromas)​​​