Peppermint Oil in Skin Care

Peppermint oil, specifically from the Mentha piperita species, is an effective antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial ingredient used in many types of skin care products.

It has a storied history of use in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and hygiene industries.

The primary component of peppermint oil, menthol, has been found to confer many of the benefits associated with peppermint oil. (6,7)

There is a very low risk of allergy and it remains just as popular today as it has ever been in skin care, with demand growing every year for the ingredient. (25)

Keep reading to learn about the science of peppermint oil in skin care, and take the Baumann Skin Type Quiz to make sure this ingredient is right for your skin!

What are the effects of peppermint oil on skin?

Peppermint oil helps keep the skin clean from bacteria, binds free radicals, and treats various kinds of hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production.

It causes a cooling sensation on the skin due to the menthol it contains.

New research is underway constantly on the effectiveness of peppermint oil, but dozens of studies currently exist to support its beneficial uses in skin care. (1-37)

The most significant benefits peppermint oil has on the skin are typically considered its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, and cooling properties.

Peppermint oil does not hydrate the skin, so it is not considered a moisturizing ingredient.

What is Peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil is a common example of an essential oil; it is thin, fragrant, and composed primarily of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory plant compounds.

There is a small amount of linoleic acid present in peppermint oil (36), so it does contain lipids.

Since linoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid, it could be argued that peppermint oil is a dry oil, but most people consider it an essential oil because the fatty acid content is so low.

What is peppermint oil made of?

What are the active compounds?

The active compounds present in peppermint oil can be broken down into a few categories; phenolic compounds, fatty acids/alcohols, and other plant chemicals like terpenes, and flavonoids.

Peppermint oil is primarily composed of the terpene menthol and its derivatives like menthone, menthyl acetate, and isomenthone among others. (2-4)

Menthol is a well known anti-inflammatory compound, and also expresses much of the oil’s antioxidant capability. (8,9)

Menthol binds the TRPM8 receptor in skin causing a sensation of cooling. It does not actually lower the skin’s temperature.

The most prominent phenols in peppermint oil are rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, eriocitrin, luteolin, rutin, and hesperidin.

These phenols, notably caffeic acid, are known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.

There is a small concentration of fatty acids like palmitic, linoleic, and linolenic acids present in peppermint oil, but not enough to moisturize the skin or make the oil occlusive.

Vitamin E (A-tocopherol), a long studied and used antioxidant, is also a present compound in this ingredient.

Dangers of peppermint oil

There are a number of considerations to make before you decide on a peppermint oil product, as this ingredient is not right for everybody.

Some studies suggest that peppermint oil above certain dosages might be toxic.(38)

If you are pregnant, it is advised to avoid large quantities of peppermint oil, and to not use it every day in skin care.

When developing a skin care regimen for pregnancy, it is important to try and use products with clean ingredients.

It is also has a relatively high pH of 8, meaning it might not be great for your skin if you are sensitive to alkaline products.

An allergy to peppermint oil is possible.

If you have extremely dry skin conditions like eczema, there is a chance that peppermint oil can cause some damage to your skin barrier.

Some studies have found that peppermint oil can make the skin slightly more sensitive to airborne allergens and cause redness. (21)

is peppermint oil safe?

Is it safe?

If you are not pregnant, do not have extremely dry or sensitive skin, or an allergy to peppermint, it is safe for use in skin care. (24)

Many studies have been conducted on peppermint oil’s safety, and no significant health threats have been documented in medical publications such as CIR reports.

If you have acne, hyperpigmentation, or wrinkles, peppermint oil may be a safe choice for your skin.

Benefits

The most notable benefits attributed to peppermint oil in skin care are: (1)

Antioxidant

Analgesic

Anesthetic

Anticarcinogenic

Anti-inflammatory

Antimicrobial

Antipruritic

Antiseptic

Cooling

Radioprotective

Uses of peppermint oil

Peppermint oil is useful in skin care products that treat various kinds of inflammation, bacterial concerns, or aging/wrinkle-prone skin.

It can be found in various moisturizers, serums, balms, and sunscreens for it hydrating and antioxidant capabilities.

To find out if peppermint oil is right for your custom skin care regimen, take our quiz and shop by your Baumann Skin Type!

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For acne

Peppermint oil is an effective antimicrobial ingredient which can be useful in many acne routines.

Studies have shown that peppermint oil in combination with certain antibiotics can eliminate a number of harmful facial microbes like Staphylococcus aureus, E. Coli, and others. (20)

The main antimicrobial compound in peppermint oil is menthol.

It is also safe for use in acne because it is not comedogenic, meaning it does not clog the pores of sensitive skin.

The only concern of using peppermint oil on sensitive, acne prone skin is it can cause mild short term irritation or stinging.

For dry skin

Peppermint oil does not contain a significant concentration of moisturizing compounds, meaning it is not generally recommended for extremely dry skin types. It can, however, be found in products for dry skin alongside more potent moisturizing ingredients.

Dry skin types benefit from ingredients with high concentrations of hydrating, soothing fatty acids like linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids.

In low concentrations, it’s anti-inflammatory benefits outweigh the risk of mild irritation on dry skin.

Here are some of my favorite products with peppermint oil for dry skin:

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For inflammation

Peppermint oil and its derivative menthol have been used to treat inflammation for centuries if not thousands of years across the globe. (2,6,10,11,12)

Studies have found that peppermint oil soothes inflammation by stimulating specific thermoreceptors on the skin which results in the cooling sensation menthol is known for. (12,15,16)

Because it has been studied for so long as an anti-inflammatory, it is one of the most common natural ingredients in over the counter (OTC) topical pain creams.

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For itchy skin

Peppermint oil contains many anti-inflammatory properties which can be useful in the treatment of skin conditions like pruritus. (8)

Pruritus is a dry, itchy skin condition common in seniors. It often occurs on the upper back just out of reach. Menthol cools the skin and helps mask itching, so is often found in anti-itch products.

For wrinkles and sun damage

Menthol, the primary component of peppermint oil, is an antioxidant ingredient which is used in anti-aging products or to treat sun damage.

In a study comparing the antioxidant capability of around a dozen different common essential oils like lavender, peppermint oil demonstrated the most potency. (28)

Multiple studies promote its efficacy as an antioxidant, which means it can be helpful in capturing free radicals caused by UV exposure.

Peppermint oil is regarded for its radiation absorption properties as well, it is decent at absorbing UV-B radiation.

For dark spots

Peppermint oil has been shown to have tyrosinase inhibiting properties, meaning it can be used to treat many kinds of hyperpigmentation.(36)

The best dark spot treatments combine weak tyrosinase inhibitors like peppermint oil with more potent skin lightening ingredients like arbutin, cysteamine, ferulic acid, or niacinamide.

Peppermint oil does not work well on dark spots when used alone.

Concerns like melasma, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and freckles all need combinations of various types of skin lightening ingredients in their treatment plans.

Which products contain peppermint oil?

There are many great products that contain peppermint oil on the market, but it can be hard to figure out which are the best, and more importantly, which are the best for you. Before you buy, be sure to take our quiz so you can shop by your own Baumann Skin Type. When you do that, your skin type’s octagon will appear above products if they are recommended for your skin type!

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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