Ingredient

Vanilla Absolute

Vanilla planifolia

You think vanilla’s scent is boring? You’ve never smelled real, natural vanilla. This luxurious extract is a hug in a bottle, with profound and complex spicy notes.

Where does Lush purchase vanilla absolute?

The vanilla trade is complex and requires constant adaptation. Luckily, at Lush, we have a team of passionate buyers who try to find the best possible sources, even through crises. Our vanilla beans come from a variety of sources but are all transformed into absolute in the same place: the ‘world’s perfume capital’, the city of Grasse in France.

We primarily source our vanilla pods from Uganda, except when we specifically need the bourbon variety produced in Madagascar. Our work with two long-standing Ugandan suppliers ensures a reliable supply, allowing us to mitigate potential shortages by diversifying our sources.

The vanilla orchid grows on vines that climb trees and naturally needs shade to thrive, making it a perfect candidate for agroforestry. For instance, it can be cultivated alongside other high-value crops, such as plantain and cocoa trees, enhancing the income streams of Ugandan farmers. In addition, by practising agroforestry and diversifying their crops, farmers generously contribute to improving biodiversity.

What are the benefits of vanilla absolute in cosmetics?

• It has a divine fragrance that comforts and sweetens even the hardest of hearts.
• The scent of vanilla is said to be uplifting, de-stressing and an aphrodisiac.
• It soothes and softens the skin.
• It has cleansing antibacterial properties.
• The sugars in vanilla act as a humectant, drawing moisture into the skin.

Spotlights on the benefits of vanillin

Vanillin naturally occurs in the pods and is the main source of the characteristic vanilla scent. It has been studied for decades and has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties when applied to the skin. It also showed antidepressive properties when ingested or inhaled. Since 1858, chemists have been able to synthesise the compound, creating a cheap alternative to natural vanilla that is still widely used today.

Why is natural vanilla so rare?

Vanilla beans are produced by an orchid that grows in tropical climates near the equator. Not only does it need hand pollination within a few hours of its flowers opening, but the resulting pods must go through a long and complex process before becoming the dark brown spices we can buy. If proper temperatures and humidity levels are not met, the pods can become sour or mouldy. Like all good things, vanilla requires experience and time.