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 Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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