Peppermint oil is a clear essential oil with a fresh peppermint aroma derived from the peppermint plant (Mentha x piperita). We use this ingredient to add flavour or fragrance to some of our products.

Mentha piperita is a cross between watermint and spearmint in the mint (Lamiaceae) family, and cultivated in many regions of the world. These perennial plants grow to around 45cm tall, with dark green, tooth-edged, red-veined leaves. The highly fragrant leaves can be hydro or steam distilled to produce peppermint essential oil, which is used in foods, flavours, fragrances and pharmaceuticals.

Peppermint oil's moderate EWG rating is due to its sensitising potential for a small percentage of people, however a 2018 review by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel advised that "Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment when formulated to be non-sensitizing."

Botanical name: Mentha x piperita

Other names: Hakka Yu (JPN), Mentha Oil

Chemical class: Essential Oils and Waters

Main constituents: Menthol, Menthofuran, Methyl Acetate, Menthone, Eucalyptol, Limonene, Sabinene, Carvone.

REFERENCES

Nair B. (2001). 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. International journal of toxicology, 20 Suppl 3, 61–73.

Marwa, C., Fikri-Benbrahim, K., Ou-Yahia, D., & Farah, A. (2017). African peppermint (Mentha piperita) from Morocco: Chemical composition and antimicrobial properties of essential oil. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research, 8(3), 86–90. https://doi.org/10.4103/japtr.JAPTR_11_17

Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2021-09-17. temperate.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Mentha+%C3%97+piperita

Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (2018). Amended Safety Assessment of Mentha piperita (Peppermint)-derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. (Draft) Retrieved on September 18, 2021 from https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/peppermint_1.pdf