What should I avoid if allergic to Balsam of Peru?

Balsam of Peru contains cinnamates and benzoates, which co-react with many fragrance components.

A natural resin and one of the most common cosmetic contact allergens. It contains cinnamates and benzoates, which is why sensitivity to it commonly extends to individual fragrance components carrying the same chemistry.

Ingredients in this family (8)

This list is not complete. This family covers more materials than can be listed — an ingredient not shown here is not evidence that a product is safe for you.

BENZOIC ACID
BENZYL ALCOHOL
BENZYL BENZOATE
BENZYL CINNAMATE
CINNAMIC ACID
MYROXYLON BALSAMUM
MYROXYLON PEREIRAE OIL
MYROXYLON PEREIRAE RESIN

Commonly co-reacts with

Documented co-reactivity. Not everyone sensitised to one reacts to the others, but they are worth discussing with your clinician.

Evidence

Source:: Api AM. Food Chem Toxicol. 2006;44(12):2056-8
Member list is:: partial — this family cannot be fully enumerated
What this does not establish:: Whether you personally react. Contact allergy is confirmed by patch testing, not by an ingredient list.
Last reviewed:: 2026-09-26

Information, not medical advice. A suspected contact allergy should be confirmed by a dermatologist through patch testing.