A cooling aroma ingredient that can produce a cold sensation without lowering tissue temperature in the same way as ice.
Sources: 1, 2, 3No alternative names recorded.
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Menthol
What it does
Changes product sensation and scent. A cooling feeling does not prove reduced inflammation or improved barrier function.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Good for
- Cooling product sensations
How to use it
Use only as directed in a finished product; do not apply raw cooling material or increase use because it feels active.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Who should be careful
Can sting or irritate sensitive skin and eyes. Extra caution is needed for children and use near the nose or mouth.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Activates cold-sensitive sensory pathways, including TRPM8.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Potential adverse effects
Burning, stinging and contact reactions can occur, especially on reactive skin or near eyes and mucous membranes.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Formulation considerations
Concentration, stereochemistry and the intended product category affect suitability. Medicinal counterirritant use is a separate indication.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1, 2, 3Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
menthol
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
No single structure to show yet
A reviewed, unambiguous PubChem compound identifier is needed before a molecular diagram can be displayed.
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| material scope | Stereochemistry unspecified: PubChem CID 1254 leaves it unspecified and CID 16666 is L-menthol. An unspecified label does not prove L-menthol or a racemic mixture; no structure is assigned until the supplier confirms. | PubChem: (-)-Menthol (L-menthol), CID 16666 |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (3)
Scientific sources
- PubChem: (-)-Menthol (L-menthol), CID 16666chemical identity and pharmacology
- RIFM: Fragrance ingredient safety assessment, menthol (CAS 89-78-1)safety assessment · 2022
- PubChem: Menthol, stereochemistry unspecified, CID 1254chemical identity
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