Vanillin

Vanillin

AKA “4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, Vanillic aldehyde, Vanillaldehyde, p-Vanillin, Vanilline, Lioxin, 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde”

Synthetic

Ingredient Facts

Vanillin

AKA: 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, Vanillic aldehyde, Vanillaldehyde, P-Vanillin, Vanilline, Lioxin, 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde

Synthetic · Antioxidant · EWG: 4

Varies With Manufacturer

Antioxidant

Fragrance

Skin Conditioner

Synthetic

Clean

Vanilla-derived fragrance that gives products their warm, comforting vanilla scent.

Solubility Slightly soluble (NTP, 1992)

Formula

C8H8O3

Mol. Weight

152.15

CAS #

121-33-5

Form

Powder

See origin →

Functions

Fragrance

Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.

Antioxidant

Fights free radicals — the unstable molecules from UV, pollution, and stress that break down collagen and cause premature aging.

Skin Conditioning

A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.

Traditional Use

This compound is vanillin, derived from vanilla orchids (Vanilla planifolia), which has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and perfumery. Modern synthesis was developed in 1874 to replicate the natural compound from vanilla beans.