Peppermint oil (essential oil)

Q: What is the difference between peppermint oil and menthol?

Menthol is the molecule, a monoterpene alcohol; peppermint oil is a mixture in which menthol is one of the main constituents, along with menthone. Both are named in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 (lines 361 and 338).

Peppermint essential oil is obtained from the whole plant of Mentha piperita8. It is made mostly of menthol and menthone3. Menthol activates the cold receptor and gives the cooling sensation1 2. The oil is named in Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 and must be declared above 0.001% in leave-on products9.

Mohamed El HjoujiFounder and CEO · Updated November 3, 2026 · Reading time 8 min

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Peppermint oil at a glance

Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database8, from Regulation (EU) 2023/15459 and from the CIR expert panel3 4. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.

INCI name: MENTHA PIPERITA OILUS INCI name: MENTHA PIPERITA (PEPPERMINT) OIL8
Other names: Peppermint essential oilPeppermint oil
CAS number: 8006-90-4 / 84082-70-2
EC number: 282-015-4Linked to CAS 84082-70-2; no EC number for CAS 8006-90-48
Botanical origin: Peppermint (Mentha piperita L., Lamiaceae)CosIng: volatile oil obtained from the whole plant8
Composition: Menthol and menthoneMain constituents; pulegone and menthofuran are among the possible constituents3
CosIng functions: Fragrance, refreshing, tonic, perfuming"Fragrance", "Refreshing", "Tonic" and "Perfuming"8
EU status: Named in Annex III, line 361Mentha piperita oil, line added by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545. Spearmint oil (Mentha spicata) has its own line, 3629. CosIng refers to line III/3618
Allergen to declare: YesThe oil is declared by name in the ingredient list, above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product. Its main constituent, Menthol, is also named (line 338). Non-compliant products may be placed on the market until 31 July 2026 and made available until 31 July 20289
Safety: Judged safe if formulated to be non-sensitizingConclusion of the CIR panel in 2023 for the oil, extract and leaves4. The 2001 report limited pulegone to 1% in the oil and noted that menthol can increase the penetration of other ingredients3

What the research says

Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.

Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory

Composition and cooling sensationChemistry

Menthol and menthone dominate the oil

Review

2001 CIR report

The oil is made mostly of menthol and menthone. It was then used as a fragrance in formulas, at up to 3% in rinse-off products and up to 0.2% in leave-on products3.

Menthol activates the cold receptor

Laboratory

Trigeminal sensory neuronsReceptor cloning

The isolated receptor responds to menthol and to temperatures from cool to cold. It explains the cooling sensation1.

Menthol, a cooling additive in everyday products

Review

2013 review

Menthol is a monoterpene with well-known cooling properties, used in consumer products from confectionery to toothpaste. It is also one of the terpenes that most promote skin penetration of other substances2.

Tolerance and contact allergiesToxicology

Judged safe in current uses if non-sensitizing

Expert consensus

CIR panel2023 re-evaluation

The panel concludes that Mentha piperita oil, extract and leaves are safe in the present practices of use and concentration, provided they are formulated to be non-sensitizing. The data are considered insufficient for peppermint water and meristem cell culture4.

Documented cases of contact allergy

Review

2010 review

Many allergic reactions to peppermint oil are described, often around and inside the mouth. The authors point to its role as a sensitizer, notably with repeated application on compromised skin5.

Lip reaction to a balm

Case series

4 peopleExtended patch tests

Four people reacted on the lips and around the mouth to a balm containing peppermint oil. Patch tests pointed to this oil as the most likely cause6.

Scalp and hairHaircare

More follicles in mice

Laboratory

C57BL/6 micePeppermint oil at 3%4 weeksReference: 3% minoxidil

Dermis thickness, follicle number and follicle depth increased, as did alkaline phosphatase activity and IGF-1 expression. The animals' weight did not change. This is an animal study: it does not allow a conclusion about an effect in humans7.

This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Evidence is flagged by level: clinical trial, review or laboratory.

Which products use peppermint oil?

Our white label catalog includes 8 formulas with peppermint oil: the key active in 3 of them, a supporting ingredient in the others. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).

3Body

Supporting essential oil in a deodorant balm and in the cooling scalp spray of the men's care range.

Peppermint Massage OilKey active

1Hair

Supporting essential oil in the rosemary conditioner.

Shampoos and conditioners1

4Raw materials and more

Oral care4

Peppermint and Rosemary MouthwashKey active Refreshing Mint Mouth SprayKey active

In our formulas, it is most often paired with

Vitamin E 2 Bentonite 1

Peppermint, lavender, rosemary or eucalyptus?

Four essential oils often compared when choosing a fragrance or a sensation. Their chemistry differs, so does their labeling.

	Peppermint	Lavender	Rosemary	Eucalyptus
Dominant constituents	Menthol and menthone3	Linalool and linalyl acetate 10	α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, camphor11	1,8-cineole, more than 50% of Eucalyptus globulus oil12
Regulation (EU) 2023/1545	Oil named (line 361), Menthol named (line 338)9	Oil named (line 360)9	Oil not named; Camphor, Pinene and Limonene named9	Eucalyptus globulus oil named (line 355)9
Carmel catalog formulas	8 formulas	8 formulas	17 formulas	3 formulas

Frequently asked questions about peppermint oil

What is peppermint oil in cosmetics?

It is the essential oil obtained from the whole plant of Mentha piperita8. Its INCI name is MENTHA PIPERITA OIL. It is made mostly of menthol and menthone3 and is used as a fragrance and a cooling ingredient.

What are the benefits of peppermint oil in cosmetics?

CosIng recognizes the functions of fragrance, refreshing agent and tonic8. Its cosmetic value lies in its scent and in the cooling sensation menthol provides1 2. We found no robust cosmetic clinical trial on skin; the cited study on follicles is an animal study7.

What is the difference between peppermint oil and menthol?

Menthol is the molecule, a monoterpene alcohol2; peppermint oil is a mixture in which menthol is one of the main constituents, along with menthone3. Both are named in Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 (lines 361 and 338)9.

Why does peppermint oil feel cool on the skin?

Menthol activates a receptor on sensory neurons that also responds to temperatures from cool to cold1. That signal is what we perceive as freshness.

Do I have to declare peppermint oil in the ingredient list?

Yes. Since Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, Mentha piperita oil is named in Annex III (line 361) and must be declared above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product9. Non-compliant products may be placed on the market until 31 July 2026 and made available until 31 July 2028.

Is peppermint oil safe?

The CIR panel judges the oil safe in current uses if it is formulated to be non-sensitizing4, and had limited pulegone to 1% in 20013. Contact allergies are documented, notably around the mouth5 6. During pregnancy, as with any skincare product, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.

Can it go into a mouthwash or an oral spray?

Our catalog includes a peppermint and rosemary mouthwash and a mint oral spray. These are cosmetic products, formulated for scent and a cooling sensation, with no health claim.

Can you manufacture a peppermint product for my brand?

Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers 8 peppermint formulas (essential oil, hydrosol, massage oil, mouthwash, oral spray, toothpastes) that you can customize, or a custom formula. Samples are free.

Sources

Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.

McKemy DD, Neuhausser WM, Julius D. Identification of a cold receptor reveals a general role for TRP channels in thermosensation. Nature. 2002;416(6876):52-58. . doi:10.1038/nature719
Kamatou GP, Vermaak I, Viljoen AM, Lawrence BM. Menthol: a simple monoterpene with remarkable biological properties. Phytochemistry. 2013;96:15-25. . doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2013.08.005
Nair B. Final report on the safety assessment of Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, Mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf extract, Mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf, and Mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf water. Int J Toxicol. 2001;20 Suppl 3:61-73. . PMID 11766133
Johnson W, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Amended safety assessment of Mentha piperita (peppermint)-derived ingredients as used in cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2023;42(3_suppl):117S-143S. . doi:10.1177/10915818231205837
Herro E, Jacob SE. Mentha piperita (peppermint). Dermatitis. 2010;21(6):327-329. . PMID 21144345
Tran A, Pratt M, DeKoven J. Acute allergic contact […] of the lips from peppermint oil in a lip balm. Dermatitis. 2010;21(2):111-115. . PMID 20233551
Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC. Peppermint oil promotes hair growth without toxic signs. Toxicol Res. 2014;30(4):297-304. . doi:10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297
European Commission. CosIng, entry MENTHA PIPERITA OIL (CAS 8006-90-4 / 84082-70-2, EC 282-015-4). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 of 26 July 2023 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards labelling of fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (Annex III). eur-lex.europa.eu
Hagvall L, Sköld M, Bråred-Christensson J, et al. Lavender oil lacks natural protection against autoxidation, forming strong contact allergens on air exposure. Contact Dermatitis. 2008;59(3):143-150. . doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01402.x
Satyal P, Jones TH, Lopez EM, et al. Chemotypic characterization and biological activity of Rosmarinus officinalis. Foods. 2017;6(3):20. . doi:10.3390/foods6030020
de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential oils, part III: chemical composition. Dermatitis. 2016;27(4):161-169. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000193

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Peppermint oil at a glance

What the research says

Composition and cooling sensationChemistry

Menthol and menthone dominate the oil

Menthol activates the cold receptor

Menthol, a cooling additive in everyday products

Tolerance and contact allergiesToxicology

Judged safe in current uses if non-sensitizing

Documented cases of contact allergy

Lip reaction to a balm

Scalp and hairHaircare

More follicles in mice

Which products use peppermint oil?

3Body

1Hair

4Raw materials and more

Peppermint, lavender, rosemary or eucalyptus?

Frequently asked questions about peppermint oil

Further reading

Sources

Tell us about your project