What it is
In the register’s words: “Abies Balsamea Resin is an oleoresin obtained from the balsam fir (Balsam Canada), Abies balsamea, Pinaceae.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- ABIES BALSAMEA RESIN
- CAS number
- 8007-47-4
- EC number
- 232-362-2
Labels often add a second name in brackets, so a label may say Abies Balsamea (Balsam Canada) Resin where the register says ABIES BALSAMEA RESIN. Both are the same ingredient.
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Abies Balsamea (Balsam Canada) Resin in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Film forming
-
Leaves a thin, continuous film on the hair as it dries. Polymers in gels and foams carry it; the film is what feels like a cast.
Register definition: “Producing (upon application) a continuous film on the skin, hair or nails.”
- Fragrance
-
Gives the product its smell or covers an unpleasant one. A label may name each scent ingredient or group them as Fragrance (Parfum).
Register definition: “Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Shampoos without it
- Deep conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Deep conditioners without it
Every label, product by product (2)
- As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner Shampoo 21st of 25 names
- As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner Deep conditioner 28th of 29 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other film forming ingredients on these labels
- AMP-Acrylates Copolymer 3 labels
- Maltodextrin/VP Copolymer 2 labels
- PEG-8/SMDI Copolymer 2 labels
- SH-Polypeptide-121 2 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.