In pod, powder, or liquid extract, we love it in all its forms; our Proust madeleine is the excellent ingredient that charms our cosmetics.
Coming from South America and the West Indies, Bourbon Island, Madagascar, or Tahiti, vanilla does not only delight gourmets. In addition to its aromatic power, which is highly prized in gastronomy, its fragrance gives extra soul to many beauty products. And that’s not all; this spice, produced from the fruit of specific creeper tropical orchids, has more than one trick up its sleeve, thanks to its powerful active ingredients. If made into a delicious aphrodisiac, it becomes an authentic antidepressant, an analgesic, and even a good digestive. It will be consumed without moderation on the cosmetic side, whether for the richness of its powers on the skin or hair or its divine perfume.
The five advantages of vanilla
It mainly owes its powers to the tiny grains concentrated in the pods. To know :
- It is anti-aging: it owes it to its richness in polyketones, polymers discovered in particular in high concentration in vanilla from Madagascar, with repairing and stimulating antioxidant effects for the youthful skin.
- It boosts radiance: It beautifully awakens and unifies the complexion thanks to its regenerating action.
- It is hydrating: the same polyketone molecules also contribute to the water balance of skin tissues such as hair fibers.
- It is balancing and sanitizing: the oleoresin it releases gives it this normalizing action.
- It is perfumed: almost pure or associated with other essences; it makes the magic of such feminine perfumes.
My gourmet vanilla macerate
To better benefit from its active ingredients, a slow infusion is carried out by placing pods previously split lengthwise in a small bottle of sesame or sunflower oil, to be left closed in front of a sunny window for three weeks. The enriched and fragrant oil can then be applied to the face, the body for sublime massages, and dry hair tips.
