Peru balsam is a resin obtained from the Balsam Peru tree that grows in El Salvador Myroxylon balsamum (L.) var. pereirae, Leguminosae. This resin, composed of about 250 constituents, repairs cracks in the tree. The same plant is used to make a cosmetic product called Tolu Balm or Tolu Balsam with almost similar characteristics but different INCI names.
It appears as a yellow liquid.
What it is used for and where
Food
Balsam of Peru is added as a flavouring agent in both food and beverages, but it is a stimulant to the cardiovascular system and increases blood pressure depending on the amount added.
Cosmetics
It is used on all continents for different purposes, but the most popular use is perfuming in cosmetic products. It is a restricted ingredient as a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 or not subject to restrictions. It depends on the composition.
The following products are on the market, with and without restrictions, bearing in mind that the cosmetic safety rating expressed may differ from study to study, composition to composition. As can be seen from the table below, only 4 out of 9 ingredients have no cosmetic restrictions, but even for these, the safety considerations I outline below apply.
| INCI | CAS | EC number | Restriction | Name | Function |
| MYROXYLON BALSAMUM BALSAM EXTRACT | 9000-64-0 | 232-550-4 |
| Balsam Tolu | Perfuming |
| MYROXYLON BALSAMUM RESIN | 9000-64-0 | 232-550-4 |
| Balsam Tolu | Film former
Fragrance
Hair conditioning |
| MYROXYLON BALSAMUM BALSAM OIL | 9000-64-0 | 232-550-4 | II/1136 | Peru Balsam | Perfuming |
| MYROXYLON PEREIRAE OIL/EXTRACT |
|
|
|
| Frragrance
|
| MYROXYLON PEREIRAE RESIN EXTRACT |
|
|
|
| Flavouring
Fragrance
Skin conditioning |
| MYROXYLON BALSAMUM PEREIRAE BALSAM EXTRACT | 8007-00-9 | 232-352-8 | III/154 | Peru Balsam | Perfuming |
| MYROXYLON BALSAMUM PEREIRAE BALSAM OIL | 8007-00-9 | 232-352-8 | III/154 | Peru Balsam | Perfuming |
| MYROXYLON PEREIRAE OIL | 8007-00-9 | 232-352-8 | II/1136 |
| Fragrance |
| MYROXYLON PEREIRAE RESIN | 8007-00-9 | 232-352-8 | II/1136 | Peru Balsam | Film former
Fragrance
Hair conditioning |
Safety
It is considered an allergen even though not all of the main allergens have yet been identified because in addition to benzoic acid, cinnamate, eugenol, at least 10 others are unidentifiable. However, the allergic contact dermatitis it causes (1) is known to be among the most frequent sensitisers that can cause periocular contact dermatitis (2).
Medical
It is used to treat wounds and burns, but positive patch tests, especially in elderly people, have confirmed that this ingredient is responsible for dermatitis (3).
References_____________________________________________________________________
(1) Nanda, A. and Wasan, A., 2016. Allergic contact dermatitis to balsam of Peru. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 117(2), pp.208-209.
(2) Temesvári E, Pónyai G, Németh I, Hidvégi B, Sas A, Kárpáti S. Periocular dermatitis: a report of 401 patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009 Feb;23(2):124-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.02949.x.
(3) Avalos‐Peralta, P., Garcia‐Bravo, B. and Camacho, F.M., 2005. Sensitivity to Myroxylon pereirae resin (balsam of Peru). A study of 50 cases. Contact dermatitis, 52(6), pp.304-306.
Peru balsam 
