Menthol
What Menthol is & what it does
A mint-derived compound that gives a cooling sensation and fresh scent. It can soothe momentarily but may irritate or sensitize reactive skin.
What does Menthol do in skincare?
Menthol is a compound from mint plants that produces a cooling sensation on the skin and is used as a fragrance and skin conditioning ingredient. In sunscreens and creams it can give a refreshing feel and may be added to mask other scents. It does not provide UV protection itself.
Is Menthol safe?
Menthol is widely used in cosmetics and is generally considered safe at the low levels typical in skincare. Some people with sensitive or reactive skin can find it irritating, and it may cause a stinging feel on broken or very dry skin. If you have sensitive skin, patch testing a new product is a sensible precaution.
Is Menthol natural or synthetic?
Menthol can be both natural and synthetic. It is naturally extracted from peppermint and other mint oils, but it is also produced synthetically to ensure consistent purity and supply. The two forms are chemically the same compound.
Sunscreens with Menthol
We rate 32 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:
-
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF 50 Pa++++ Cool Edition
81/100
-
Naruko Tea Tree Anti Acne Sunscreen Spf 50
81/100
-
Garnier Super UV Cooling Watergel Sunscreen SPF 50 Pa++++
79/100
-
Sun Scoop Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen (for Face And Body) | SPF 60 | Pa++++
77/100
-
Sunplay Skin Aqua Skin Aqua UV Body Cooling Lotion SPF 50+ Pa++++
76/100
-
OMI Menturm Sun Bears Active Protect Cool Sunscreen SPF 50+ Pa++++
75/100
-
New Well SPF+50 Enlighter Protector Tone Up Sun Cream
75/100
-
Y.O.U. You Triple UV Elixir Sunscreen Gel SPF 50+ Pa++++
74/100
-
Y.O.U. Sunbrella 2% Niacinamide Brightening Sunscreen SPF 50+ Pa++++
72/100
-
Nivea Sun Ultra Sport Cooling SPF 50+ Sunscreen Spray
71/100