Vanillyl Butyl Ether, 100 ml

Vanillyl Butyl Ether is a warming active ingredient that creates a sensation of warmth on the skin after application. It is added to massage creams and oils, shower gels, and products for the legs, scalp or lips, wherever the product is meant to feel warming and relaxing. The effect is sensory and the raw material is used at tenths of a percent.

It is made by combining vanillyl alcohol of plant origin (from citronella) with synthetic butyl alcohol, so the resulting substance has a mixed origin.

What it does in a product

• Warming sensation – after application, a feeling of warmth appears on the treated area. The intensity depends on the usage rate and the type of product.
• Enhancement in combination with cooling agents – the manufacturer states that, at a suitable ratio with a cooling component, the warming or cooling sensation is intensified. In its sample massage formulation it is combined with Menthol and Menthyl Lactate in equal amounts.
• Lower irritancy – according to the manufacturer’s data, it irritates less than other warming substances. The concentrated raw material is nevertheless classified as an irritant, which you need to take into account when handling it and when determining the usage rate.
• Stability in the pH range 3–10 – it works in acidic cleaning products as well as in alkaline systems, so the pH of the formulation does not need to be adjusted for it.

Use in a formulation

Vanillyl Butyl Ether is insoluble in water and miscible with alcohol. In emulsions it is added in the cooling phase, when the mixture is below 40 °C. The easiest way is to premix it with the fragrance composition. In the manufacturer’s sample formulation it goes into the cream in the same step as the fragrance, preservative and cooling agents, after cooling to 40 °C, and the mixture is then cooled further while stirring continuously.

It is not added directly to a clear gel. First it is dissolved in alcohol or mixed with a fragrance composition or solubiliser, and the clarity of the finished product is checked. In a massage oil it is mixed in without heating; we recommend checking the homogeneity of the mixture in your specific formulation.

The indicative usage rate is 0.05–1%. In its documents the manufacturer works with a range of 0.05–0.5%, and the sample warming facial massage cream contains 0.1%. For first use it is worth starting at the lower limit, as the intensity of warmth increases with the dose.

It is suitable for both rinse-off and leave-on products, from shower gel to cream or massage oil.

Suitable for products such as

• Massage creams and oils – the classic use, where warmth supports the feeling of relaxation when massaging muscles, the back or the legs.
• Products for legs and feet – warming creams and balms for tired legs.
• Shower gels and bath products – warming body wash, also in combination with a cooling agent.
• Facial cleansing products and masks – a mild feeling of warmth while cleansing the skin.
• Lip care – balms and glosses with a warming effect.
• Hair care – shampoos, masks and scalp serums with a warming sensation.

Good to know

The raw material has a vanilla scent, which blends with the fragrance of the product at normal usage rates. Take this into account when adjusting the fragrance, especially in unscented formulations.

The substance is readily biodegradable, is produced without palm oil ingredients and is Vegan certified.

Frequently asked questions