Myroxylon Pereirae (Balsam of Peru) Resin
What is it?
Myroxylon pereirae resin (more commonly known as Balsam of Peru) is a naturally occurring resin from the tree Myroxylon balsamum pereirae. It is made of many fragrance and flavoring ingredients such as cinnamon and vanilla. It also contains many other lesser known, but common fragrances such as farnesol and nerolidol.
How can I avoid it?
A positive patch test response to Balsam of Peru strongly suggests a fragrance and/or a spice allergy. You need to use fragrance-free skin care and household products. Foods and oral care products may also contain Balsam of Peru. Direct contact with foods or products containing Balsam of Peru may cause symptoms including burning, irritation and redness. Direct contact may occur on the skin, lips or mouth. Although it is rare, it is possible that ingestion of this substance could cause generalized symptoms such as itching or redness of the skin. Skin contact with Balsam of Peru is required for it to cause a rash. Discontinuation of exposure to products containing Balsam of Peru should result in improvement and/or resolution of your dermatitis.
By law, all products made in the U.S. for topical use have the ingredients listed either on the product package or the box that contains it, so check the labeling of your skin care products for this ingredient. If there is not enough information, ask your pharmacist or call the company directly. At work, request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure.
Uses:
- Balsams of pine and spruce
- Cleansing cloths, including baby wipes
- Flowers
- Skin and personal care products/Cosmetics
- Antiperspirants/Deodorants
- Hair sprays, gels, tonics, and lotions
- Hair colorants/“Permanents-relaxers”
- Soaps/Cleansers
- Shampoos/Conditioners
- Moisturizers
- Make-up
- Powders/Sprays
- Sunscreens
- Lip preparations
- Toothpastes/Mouthwashes
- Wound healing ointments
- Dental cements
- Tiger balm
- Topical medications (prescription and over-the-counter) such as
- Anesthetics
- Antiseptics
- Creams, ointments, solutions
- Foot and other powders
- Nasal decongestants
- Traditional Chinese medications
- Hemorrhoidal suppositories and ointment
- Surgical dressings
- Dental cement
- Cough medicine, lozenges
- Anti-itch preparations (Calamine, etc)
- Tincture of benzoin
- Fragrances: Perfumes/Colognes/After-shaves/Toilet water
- Household products
- Cleaning products/Soaps/Detergents (A preferred household cleaner for fragrance allergic individuals is dilute white vinegar.)
- Furniture polish
- Laundry care (detergent, softeners)
- Paints
- Veterinary use for slow healing wounds, dog mange, ear mites
- Insect repellents
- Flavorings
- Citrus fruit peel
- Artificially baked goods
- Cola and other soft drinks
- Aperitifs and other flavored drinks
- Spices – cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, paprika, curry
- Perfumed tea, coffee, and tobacco
Other names for Myroxylon pereirae resin (Balsam of Peru):
- Balsam of Peru
- Balsamum
- Black balsam
- China oil
- Honduras balsam
- Indian balsam
- MP
- Peruvianum
- Peruvian balsam
- Suriname balsa
- Balsam oil
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
- Balsam of Tolu
- Benzoic acid
- Benzoin
- Benzoyl benzoate
- Benzyl acetate
- Benzyl alcohol
- Benzyl salicylate
- Benzyl cinnamate
- Cinnamic acid
- Cinnamic alcohol/Cinnamic aldehyde
- Cinnamon oil
- Clove oil
- Colophony (Rosin)
- Diethylstilbestrol
- Essential oils of orange peel
- Eugenol
- Isoeugenol
- Methyl cinnamate
- Nerolidol
- Propolis
- Stonax
- Tolu Balsam
- Vanillin
If your eczema is generalized, affecting the lip, mouth, or around the mouth, please see Balsam of Peru diet flyer ( MC4999-95 – Balsam of Peru Diet) and consider avoiding the following products that may contain Balsam of Peru. Read the labels to be sure.
MC4999-94/Rev 05-2025
