Menthol is an organic compound that is typically derived from herb plants such as peppermint and eucalyptus. When topically applied, menthol is known to produce sensation that can be described as “cooling” or “fresh.” In skincare, menthol essential oil is highly regarded and often infused into creams, ointments and cosmetic products as a way of supplying the skin with a refreshed sensation. Although due to its weak water-solubility, menthol can be volatile and difficult to incorporate into skincare formulas.
HOW DOES MENTHOL WORK ?
When applied topically to the skin, ingested, or inhaled, menthol produces a cooling sensation. Menthol does not lower the temperature of the body or skin. Instead, it produces a cooling effect by blocking the calcium current along the nerves responsible for detecting temperature. The message that the individual receives via the nerve endings is that the skin or body is cooling.