Product Abstract: The Benzoin tree originates in Java, Sumatra and Thailand where it can grow up to 8 meters (20 feet). Deep incisions are made in the trunk of the tree from which the grayish-colored sap exudes. When the resinous lump becomes hard and brittle, it is collected from the bark. It is then cleaned and processed by solvent extraction to produce the thick, resinous oil. Also known as Gum Benjamin, Benzoin is one of the classic ingredients of incense, and it has been widely used in perfumery. We recommend placing the bottle in a very hot water bath, changing the water frequently and once it is back to the liquid state, gently agitate before use.
Cautions: Dilute before use; for external use only. May cause skin irritation in some individuals; a skin test is recommended prior to use. Contact with eyes should be avoided.
Storage: It is recommended that oils packaged in metal containers (for safe shipping) be transferred into dark glass containers to maintain freshness and attain maximum shelf life.
IMPORTANT: All New Directions Aromatics (NDA) products are for external use only unless otherwise indicated. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and it should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or under the care of a medical practitioner. Please refer to our policies for further details, and our disclaimer below.
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Rating: Hands down one of my favourite oils, and yours is hands down one of the best I own. The texture is right, the sweet subtle vanilla aroma. It's all there.
Rating: This stuff is amazing for dry cracked skin. Living where I do, every winter I deal with cracks on my hands and feet. I made a rollerball with hemp oil, benzoin, and a few drops of lavender. It works great, and it has hepled speed the healing and softens the skin.
By:Norma, Calgary, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 18-Sep-2018
Rating: I read so much about Benzoin, but this is the first chance I have to smell it. I'm very happy with it! It's a good replacement (in soapmaking, for example) for troublesome vanilla, and anchors whatever other scents that get blended with it. I expected it to be more thick, but I'm able to pour it easily with a bit of patience - no warming necessary: the liquid is quite fluid, considering it's a resinoid.
Rating: I absolutely love Benzoin. It mimics Vanilla slightly and is way more sustainable. I have issued a query about the current batch as it does not act like the Benzoin I had been receiving from ND. It starts to turn back to a resin when mixed with oil or butters. Its very strange.
By:Rachael, Canaan, Nova Scotia
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 25-Mar-2018
Rating: The smell is yummy, and it doesn't fade away quickly.
By:Peaches, Montreal, Quebec Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 26-May-2020
Rating: This oil is super thick, and very sweet smelling. Warm it up in your hand and put a few drops on cracked skin, and it helps alot. I like it, and it smells really good.
By:Norma, Calgary, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 18-Sep-2018
Rating: Very satisfying oil that has added a warm undertone for my products!
By:Scott, Kentville, Nova Scotia
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 05-Nov-2018
Rating: I was looking for a soft , sweet and warm scent and this is it! Have used it in different blends for soap and it works well. Only drawback is it is quite thick so you have to warm it up to get it to run out of the bottle.
By:Beckie, Elmcreek, Manitoba Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 29-Dec-2013
Rating: I love this product. It is a new favourite scent. Although very thick, if it sits in warm/hot water, it is very easy to use. The price is awesome. I use it in serums, soaps and balms. I didn't smell the vanilla in it right away although it smelled familiar and I loved it. Its very warm and multidimensional.
Rating: Used in whipped body butter with raw cocao butter. Smells divine! Adds a vanilla hint to it. Benzoin itself has a light vanilla scent to it. Quite nice.
By:Cindy, Chatsworth, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 06-Dec-2012
Rating: Love the sweet sent! I add it to everything it smell sooo good!
Rating: Smells like a sweet vanilla scent very thick like syrup had to take my dropper cap out so I could get it to come out of the bottle. Going to use this whenever I need a vanilla like scent as it is much cheaper then the vanilla oleoresin.
Rating: Just got this in the mail and it smells like vanilla. More so like vanilla coke once put on the skin. It's thick and viscous so once you get it, take the dropper out. But it's just like a syrup and adds a nice warm like vanilla smell to my products. If you're debating this, I recommend it. I got a 15ml but next time I will be getting 100ml. This stuff will be my new friend for my products. :)
By:Kaitlyn, Elmsdale, Nova Scotia
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 16-Jun-2016
Rating: I think benzoin resinoid is my absolute favorite scent. It adds such a grounding aroma to my male and female natural perfumes. It is thick, but expected with a resinoid. Very good quality and very pleased with this product.
Rating: A beautiful anchoring scent for masculine or feminine scents. Amazing price and great quality but be sure to use a water bath to soften it up.
By:Jeremy, Nanaimo, British Columbia Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 12-Aug-2015
Rating: Oh. My. This is sticky and thick like syrup, but not a solid at room temp. I just took out the dropper and let a blob of goo fall into the bottom of my 10mL mixing bottle, then dropped my other thin EO's on top (citruses - orange, lemon, lime, pink grapefruit, and bergamot). I had to shake for about a full minute to get the Benzoin to dissolve. What a treasure - diffused (in my nebulizer) - adds a sweet, vanilla-like base note. In the bottle it smells like vanilla coke. Bonus, it is a sedative and mood enhancer (anti-depressant). Will be adding it to all my sleep and mood blends!
By:Stephanie, Lethbridge, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 25-Sep-2015
Rating: Oooh this is a lovely treasure! And cheap right now too! Very thick as mentioned and must be warmed to get it out. Smells like cola almost - sweet and vanilla-ish but almost more the caramelly-dark vanilla like a flat coke. Pleasant and sweet base note.
By:Stephanie, Lethbridge, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 25-Sep-2015
Rating: It's sticky and annoying, yes, but one of the most amazing smells I've ever come across. It's like honey-maple-sugar-perfection. Only a bit is needed.
By:Mikaela, Kitchener, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 04-Jan-2016
Rating: I didn't understand how to use this for the longest time, but now that I do, I absolutely love it! It really softens up the smell of other fragrance oils with a sweet vanilla-y scent. Worked really well anchoring the other essential oils in my bath truffles and lotion bars. Hope to use it in my CP soap soon :)
By:Danielle, Calgary, Alberta
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 12-Feb-2015
Rating: Added this in for a vanilla tone with my essential oil blends. Smells awesome! Heated it up as was suggested by other reviewers. Dropped out very slowly, but was still worth using.
By:Kari, St. Catharines, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 18-Nov-2015
Rating: I boil water in the kettle, then put this bottle into a cup of hot water while I get the rest of my CP ready...Then it pours like a dream, and I stick blend it into my soap for a minute or so to make sure that it disperses and mixes fully.
I use this in two citrus soaps that I make to anchor the scent - and I find that there has been a HUGE difference in longevity of the scent in these two soaps. Which is awesome - because citrus is hard to keep... I don't use very much either. About a 1.5 / 7th of my scent combination... Overall, VERY happy with this.
By:Ayla, Sherwood Park, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 15-Aug-2013
Rating: Ordered this based on other reviews of how it smelled like vanilla. I was excited to try it but when opened the bottle it didn't smell like vanilla at all, but once I blended it with some other ingredients, it was heavenly! Added to my lotion bars and makes them sweet and vanilla scented!
By:Elvira, Oakville, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 03-Feb-2012
Rating: It's not gonna drop forever. not a single drop. It's really thick and even sticky. I needed to scup it out. The scent is vanilla! tempting. Just same as pure vanilla extract in my kitchen without alcohol smell. no one would hate anything about this scent. I'm going to use it for middle/base for perfume and anything to replace vanilla. For it's calming effect, I'm thinking about making sleep candle.
Rating: Soft, warm, very subtle and inviting scent; I actually prefer it to vanilla as it's not as sweet smelling. It is a bit tricky to work with, so I did what another reviewer suggested and set the bottle in hot water before using, which did help somewhat. Still, I had to reheat my body butter base to get the benzoin to melt into it (I'd let it cool too far - good for other oils but not resins).
In the end, I found it easier to use a pin to get drops from the vial rather than a pipette; you lose too much to the pipette, and the resin is thick enough to pick up a drop with a pin.
It was well worth the effort, as I combined the benzoin with dark patchouli and frankincense for my base notes, and the beautiful scent of the benzoin lingers within those (but doesn't overpower them) for hours.
By:Virginia, Borden, Saskatchewan Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 26-Jan-2014
Rating: Okay, all the other reviewers are saying it's worth the effort to get used to using this thick oil. I am willing to keep trying, based on that. But my first couple of tries have been disappointing.
By:Anita, Cambridge, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 26-Nov-2013
Rating: Winner, hands down! I love this beautiful Benzoin! Forget the pipette or a dropper. I use a teeny spoon and make a lot of product. I went all out and bought the big bottle. I may never need another!
Rating: I love the warm, vanilla honey fragrance of this! Don't bother trying to use the dropper cap since it's very thick. It needs to come with a glass pipette! I put the bottle in warm water to make it easier to use.
By:Trina, Edmonton, Alberta
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 27-Sep-2013
Rating: Warm, inviting and smoky all in one. A wonderful lingering base note that enhances anything I add benzoin to. A little thick to work with, but worth the extra step!
By:Sharon, Mississauga, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 25-Nov-2011
Rating: Warm and sweet, slightly medicinal. Vanilla-esque. Will be amazing blended with other scents to add warmth!
By:Megan, Calgary, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 08-Aug-2012
Rating: Oh, my, gosh. This is seriously now one of my all-time favourite scents, EVER!!! I cannot get over how delicious and warm this is. A perfect addition to perfume blends, or as a stand-alone single note fragrance. I can only imagine how great this will be in a massage blend... I can't wait to try it out!
5/5 NDA!!
Rating: smells wonderful, a little like vanilla. It's really hard to mix into stuff as it is really thick and doesn't seem to dissolve very easily.
By:Meghan, Cochrane, Alberta
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 24-Apr-2013
Rating: If you enjoy the scents of Frankincense, Myrrh, and Amber, you will likely enjoy this sweet, resinous EO. It is thick, so the dropper isn't very useful and It takes a little effort to dilute as well. You truly cannot beat the price either! I will be purchasing this one again!
By:Jennifer, Calgary, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 03-Sep-2012
Rating: Benzoin smells really soft and nice and is inexpensive but is awfully thick. I wouldn't know much else because two days after I got this my glass bottle fell and broke and it was a hell to clean. Basically I could only do it with rubbing alcohol and even then the resin solid would stay on the arms for a while , I had to cover it when going out. Just info for people to keep this glass bottle safe.
By:Vladimir, Toronto, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 29-Apr-2011
Rating: To me, it smells a bit cloying sweet, and like honey and vanilla. The type of scent I'd expect from a synthetic scented candle. However, I don't have a lot of experience with benzoin - it may just be that I'm not partial to the scent. The price CANNOT be beat, and next time I will probably reorder the 100ml. I would use it for aromatherapy, homemade perfumes fixative, and for a connection with the rich history this plant is associated with. Who knows - in time, I may even use it for the physical medicinal and cosmetic applications.
By:Tamarah, Montreal, Quebec Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 10-Dec-2012
Rating: Beautiful smell but I found it difficult to work with. I tried warming it up but It still wouldn't drip. I removed the stopper and poured it to measure it out. It was also hard to fully incorporate into my CP soap. I recommend taking extra care to add this one right at light trace and not to delay. Next time I make a batch I think I'll dilute it in some superfatting oil to see if it helps with the mixing.
By:Kathleen, Edmonton, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 08-Oct-2012
Rating: Benzoin is amazing in my perfume blends! It is rather thick, so just remove the plastic dropper and scoop out with a little spatula. Then dilute with a carrier oil. :)
Rating: Scent is quite nice. It is extremely gooey thick. The dripper is kind of counterproductive. I managed to dilute it in perfumer's alcohol down to 75%-ish to keep it liquid form so it could be used with dropper. If you get the neat oil onto your hand, it'll stay there. I tried to wash it off with soap and rubbing alcohol. No use. Wipe off as much as you can with toilet tissue and just let it remove itself overtime (cleared after I slept). I'll probably only use it for perfumery and not therapeutic.
By:Tuan, Toronto, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Apr-2012
Rating: Nice, sweet vanilla-like smell. People are a little scared of the name as it sounds too much like benzene, which probably wouldn't be good in soap. It makes for a nice sweet base note, and also a good fixative, however it's very difficult to work with. I have yet to successfully liquefy it in a water bath as it always gets too hot and then forms resin like clumps in my soap (which might be nice, but not what I'm going for). The only success I've had is by heating it up in the sun, or in my pocket, and then making sure to use my essential oil blend quickly before the benzoin separates out and gets too viscous again. Also, I'm a little concerned about what I've read about it being a sensitizer.
By:Basil, Woodbridge, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 15-Aug-2006
Rating: This scent is so relaxing and surprising. Very soft...hard to pinpoint the aroma exactly, but it reminds me of a vanilla powder...will definitely make sure I don't run out of this.
By:Cindy, Angus, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 03-Dec-2011
Rating: What a wonderful surprise to me! This is my first encounter with Benzoin apart from Friar's Balsam and benzoin swabs . I expected an antiseptic smell and am delighting in the wonderful mellow warm scent slightly reminiscent of buttered vanilla ... if there is such a thing. I am looking forward to experimenting with various scent combinations.
Rating: Amazing resin! I would like to thank Tiffany for providing advice re: applying neat on skin. I had some sort of stubborn dermatitis-type reaction on my knuckle area. The resin's goey viscosity provided an effective barrier to allow my skin to completely heal over wonderfully and quickly. Plus, I am aware of its therapeutic benefits. I am running low on this sample and I will be buying a larger one so I can make a healing ointment out of this - that way I don't need to keep gently heating it every time I need it.
By:Susan, Whitby, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 17-Feb-2010
Rating: I'm in love! Such a complex, wonderful scent! As previous reviews have stated, it's pretty thick. I put it in a hot water bath while I got the rest of my ingredients ready. When it came time to add the essential oils to my soap it was easy to pour and measure.
By:Amy, Sept-Iles, Quebec Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 02-Nov-2010
Rating: I absolutely love the smell. I do find it difficult to work with because of the thick viscosity. I will have to try a hotter hot water bath the next time. I think I had a heavy hand when I used it in my product recipe because it is difficult to measure due to the gooey-ness. I recommend not to add too much just in case you are prone to sensitivity (you can always add more later if it's not strong enough).
By:Susan, Whitby, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 17-Feb-2010
Rating: I need a gallon of this resinoid...it creates an unbelievable base note for rose perfumes.....
By:Jefa, Calgary, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 20-Jun-2006
Rating: Very thick but worth the trouble to work with. The fragrance is sweet and subtle and luxurious.
By:Diane, Toronto, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 10-Jul-2009
Rating: Benzoin is a beautifully scented oil... it is very warming, very relaxing, very precious. It is good to find an oil with so many uses that smells wonderful to! I definately recomend this oil!!!!
By:Brandy, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2008
Rating: I just LOVE this benzoin resin. Very warm scent. Not easy to use as everything gets sticky, but it's one of my favourite. I use it for candles and I recommand anyone who uses for candles and cosmetics to not forget to mention it on the label as some people are extremely sensitive to benzoin.
By:Chaina, Toronto, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 11-Mar-2010
Rating: Goopy, gloppy wonderfulness!
By:Crystal, Port Moody, British Columbia Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Apr-2008
Rating: Just love this EO! The sweet and warm base note binds all other scent together. A must have for CP soaps.
By:Yixi, Victoia, British Columbia
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 30-Dec-2009
Rating: Smells fantastic! impossible to get out of the bottle without fully opening and scraping out. hard to measure, but the quality of the smell is worth it!
a better container should be used with some sort of measurement device attached.
Rating: This resin smells nice, sort of like vanilla cherry cola. It is extremely goopey and very difficult to get out of the bottle. May I suggest NDA getting this in powder form?
By:Nadine, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Date: Loyal Customer Since: 29-Oct-2009
Rating: I love this essential oil. It can have many uses. I have used it to enhance the smell of vanilla essential oil in soaps and the result was very good. My mom was using it for inhalations... so this oil has always been familiar to me.
By:Louise, Montreal, Quebec Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 25-Feb-2006
Rating: This product is much harder to work with than other essential oils until you get the hang of it. However, it is worth the work it takes to get to know it. The smell of this product is divine, and it is unbelievably healing. In addition it is a powerful, natural preservative. Highly recommend it!
By:Stacey, Toronto, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 08-Dec-2007
Rating: This oil is very thick and sticky, but when you scoop it out and mix it with other oils it blends easily. I mixed it with cinnamon leaf and cardamom for a chai scent. Lovely!
Rating: Absolutely delicious! Excellent with bergamot and other citrusy smells. But really viscous, hard to measure out of the bottle
By:Lucie, Calgary, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2008
Rating: What a wonderfully rich warm scent! Mixed with Frankincense & Myrrh, I think it would be an absolutely wonderful spiritual scent.. ! Even though it's VERY viscous, I can't wait to make a room spray out of this..
By:Lisanne, St. Catharines, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Mar-2007
Rating: I did not know this oil before and I'm glad New Directions has sent me an email to promote it 'cause I'm extremely pleased with the smell! Can't wait to do the receipe with the shea butter that New Directions also had provided with their news letter.
Rating: This Benzoin has a wonderful vanilla type scent and is perfect as a base in blending scents for all matter of products. Makes a lovely scent when blended with orange and ginger to use in a burner or with rose for bath salts.
By:Vanice, Cambridge, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 19-Dec-2006
Rating: Nothing prepared me for the unbelievable scent of this resin. French Vanilla ice cream, no calories, and twice the emotional high. Left me on cloud nine. A little hard to work with as it is so thick and gluey.
By:Bromstein, Yarker, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 07-Sep-2007
Rating: Although not the ruby red of my favourite benzoin, this one is affordable and preciously scented. Excellent for the skin, even used neat under bandaids. Good for baby skin products.
By:Tracey, Toronto, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Jan-2007
Rating: When I read about the 'cuddly' vanilla scent of benzoin in an aromatherapy book I was DYING to try some- but I had never heard of it so I thought for sure I would have trouble finding it. Wasn't I surprised to find it for a great deal right hear! The scent is everything I imagined, and its going to make a DELIGHTFUL scent combo! I am looking forward to soaping this one.
By:Stephanie, Cochrane, Alberta Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 09-Apr-2007
Rating: This resin smells amazing, but it is very sticky so be sure to do your research of how to deal with such essential oils.. To my nose, the smell reminds me a lot of honey with a touch of vanilla.
Well worth the price. Very high quality. Commonly used in western perfumery.
By:Sherif, Scarborough, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 27-Jul-2006
Rating: Having not read the scent description thoroughly before ordering it, I mistakenly assumed that it would smell similar to frankincense, but NO! The smell of Benzoin reminds me of creamy, warm, vanilla cakes. It is positively delicious. I just received it today, so I haven't used it in anything yet, but I just can't seem to keep my nose out of the bottle cap! It's positively delicious.
By:Karen, Nepean, Ontario Top ReviewerDate: Loyal Customer Since: 26-May-2006
Rating: I love this oil/resin....very wonderful warming somforting scent. BENZOIN is a RESINOID. Benzoin styrax. An oil that creates a blissful sense of euphoria and warms the heart as well as comforts the soul. It is non-toxic and non-irritant but with possible sensitization in some individuals. Use to soothe coughs, relieve lung congestion, poor circulation, muscular problems, antiseptic, antifungal, chapped skin, increasing skin elasticity, anxiety, emotionally blockage, loneliness, exhaustion, life crisis, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, chills, colic, coughs, cuts, 'flu, gout, inflamed skin, irritated skin, laryngitis, nervous tension, poor circulation, rheumatism, stress related conditions. Also known as Gum Benjamin, Gum Benzoin,Styrax benzoin. Highly recommended for aromatherapists.
With an unwavering commitment to offering the highest quality of products, we firmly believe that Quality Assurance is of utmost importance. It is imperative that meticulous tests, documentation, and certifications are supplied for every product in our portfolio. Our facility is equipped with a laboratory using state-of-the-art gas chromatography to rigorously test the veracity of the purity and potency of our sourced oils. This ensures that you our valued customer are supplied with superior products at all times.
PLEASE NOTE: The packaging shown above is a general representation of the various sizes and types of packaging available for this product. Not all sizes and types of packaging for this product may be available at all times.
Customers may purchase products from New Directions Aromatics Inc. only with the clear understanding that all products must be used at their own discretion, and only after referring to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and all other relevant technical information specific to the product. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be held responsible for any damages to property or for any adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm).
New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be responsible for any damages resulting from use of or reliance upon this information. The user of the product is solely responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations applying to the use of the products, including the intellectual property rights of third parties.
The certifications, statements and product descriptions shown on this website are strictly for information purposes only. The information in this document is obtained from current and reliable sources but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. Nothing contained herein should be considered as a recommendation by New Directions Aromatics Inc. as to the fitness for any use.
Further, New Directions Aromatics is not responsible for the comments made in the customer reviews, nor when products are used in ways not suitable to their purpose (for example, fragrance oils in toothpaste; bath salts in metal containers; additives used in larger amounts than recommended).
As with any manufacturing process, New Directions Aromatics strongly recommends small lab scale testing for evaluation purposes prior to full commercial manufacturing. As the ordinary or otherwise use(s) of this product is outside the control of New Directions Aromatics Inc., no representation or warranty, expressed or implied is made as to the effect(s) of such use(s) (including damage or injury), or the results obtained.
The liability of New Directions Aromatics Inc. is limited to the value of the goods and does not include any consequential loss. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays regarding an order, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
Please note, the International Federation of Aromatherapists do not recommend that Essential Oils be taken internally unless under the supervision of a Medical Doctor who is also qualified in clinical Aromatherapy. In addition, Essential Oils must be properly diluted before use in order to avoid any damages to property or adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm).
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