PLANT OIL
Peppermint Oil
Mentha Piperita Oil
An essential oil distilled from peppermint leaves, naturally rich in menthol, valued for the cool, fresh, tingling feel and invigorating scent it brings to a formula.
Source
Flowering peppermint plant (above-ground parts)
Used for
A cool, fresh feel
How it works
The menthol-rich oil behind that cooling tingle.
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is a natural hybrid of watermint and spearmint. Its essential oil is steam-distilled from the fresh, above-ground parts of the flowering plant, and its main components are menthol and menthone, which give it a sharp, clean, minty scent.
Menthol is responsible for peppermint's familiar cooling feel. In a study of menthol applied to the forearm of human volunteers, its main effect was to heighten the perception of cooling, a change in how coolness is sensed rather than in skin temperature. A laboratory analysis of peppermint essential oil also found antioxidant activity in chemical tests.
Because it's potent, peppermint oil is used at low levels, often in rinse-off hair and scalp care, where its fresh, cooling feel is most noticeable. Keep it away from the eyes.
Menthol is responsible for peppermint's familiar cooling feel. In a study of menthol applied to the forearm of human volunteers, its main effect was to heighten the perception of cooling, a change in how coolness is sensed rather than in skin temperature. A laboratory analysis of peppermint essential oil also found antioxidant activity in chemical tests.
Because it's potent, peppermint oil is used at low levels, often in rinse-off hair and scalp care, where its fresh, cooling feel is most noticeable. Keep it away from the eyes.
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Steam-distilled from the flowering peppermint plant; rich in menthol and menthone
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Brings a cool, fresh, tingling feel and an invigorating minty scent
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Used at low levels alongside other ingredients
Questions
Why does peppermint oil feel cool?
Mainly because of menthol, the largest single component of peppermint essential oil. In a study on human skin, menthol applied to the forearm was found mainly to heighten the perception of cooling, so it changes how coolness is felt rather than chilling the skin itself. That is the familiar fresh, tingling feel peppermint brings to a formula, and why it is listed in cosmetics as refreshing. (Schmidt et al., 2009; Green, 1992; COSMILE Europe)
What is in peppermint oil?
Peppermint oil is a natural mixture of many aromatic compounds, led by menthol and menthone, with smaller amounts of others such as eucalyptol and limonene. Menthol and menthone are also the reason peppermint is grown as a source of aroma compounds for perfumery. (Schmidt et al., 2009; USDA GRIN)
Is peppermint oil suitable for sensitive skin?
Peppermint oil is a potent essential oil and a recognised fragrance allergen, which is why it is used at low levels. If you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy, check the label and patch test a new product first. (COSMILE Europe)
About the plant
Peppermint, Mentha × piperita, is a hybrid of watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is a sterile hybrid that spreads by stolons, and it is cultivated across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas. (USDA GRIN)
The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the fresh, above-ground parts of the flowering plant. Beyond the oil, peppermint is widely grown as a flavouring, for herbal tea, and as a source of menthol and menthone for perfumery. (European Medicines Agency; USDA GRIN)
The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the fresh, above-ground parts of the flowering plant. Beyond the oil, peppermint is widely grown as a flavouring, for herbal tea, and as a source of menthol and menthone for perfumery. (European Medicines Agency; USDA GRIN)
Good to know
Peppermint oil is a potent essential oil and a recognised fragrance allergen. Keep it away from the eyes, and if your skin is sensitive or you have a known fragrance allergy, patch test a new product first.
The research
- Schmidt E, Bail S, Buchbauer G, Stoilova I, Atanasova T, Stoyanova A, Krastanov A, Jirovetz L. Chemical composition, olfactory evaluation and antioxidant effects of essential oil from Mentha x piperita. Natural Product Communications. 2009;4(8):1107-1112. PMID: 19768994. (opens in a new tab)
- Green BG. The sensory effects of l-menthol on human skin. Somatosensory & Motor Research. 1992;9(3):235-244. PMID: 1414120. (opens in a new tab)
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN-Global). Mentha ×piperita L. (peppermint), taxonomy, hybrid parentage and uses (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Mentha Piperita Oil (functions: fragrance, refreshing, tonic; labelled allergen) (opens in a new tab)
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390mlRegular price £34.00Sale price Regular price
