Ingredient register

Menthol and Peppermint Oil

Caution Skin irritant Cosmetics and personal care

Decode Label flags Menthol and Peppermint Oil as a low concern in cosmetics and personal care (skin irritant). It appears in 13 of the 912 published products we have analysed (1.4%).

The concern

Cooling agent - not for infants and toddlers (breathing reflex risk)

Menthol, the main component of peppermint oil, can trigger a reflex that slows or stops breathing in babies when applied or inhaled near the face. The European Medicines Agency herbal monograph for peppermint oil contraindicates it under 2 years of age because of this laryngospasm risk, and does not recommend it between 2 and 4 years because there is not enough experience. For adults and older children it is a normal cooling and flavouring agent in toothpaste and body products, and can irritate sensitive skin at higher strengths.

Most relevant to

Children People with sensitive skin

Cited authority

EMA/HMPC European Union herbal monograph on Mentha x piperita L., aetheroleum

How common it is in this catalogue

Measured across every product Decode Label has analysed — not estimated, and not taken from anyone else's dataset.

13 of 912 published products 1.4%

By category

Bath & Body 6

Oral Care 5

Haircare 1

Shaving & Grooming 1

Identity

Also appears on labels as

Menthol Peppermint Oil Mentha Piperita Oil Mentha Piperita Leaf Oil Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil Mentha Arvensis Oil Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil

Questions

Is Menthol and Peppermint Oil safe?

The concern is cited to EMA/HMPC European Union herbal monograph on Mentha x piperita L., aetheroleum. Why it is flagged: Cooling agent - not for infants and toddlers (breathing reflex risk). Decode Label treats it as a low concern in cosmetics and personal care. It appears in 13 of the 912 published products we have analysed (1.4%).

How common is Menthol and Peppermint Oil in Indian packaged products?

Decode Label found Menthol and Peppermint Oil in 13 of 912 published products (1.4%), most often in Bath & Body, Oral Care, Haircare.

Who should be most careful with Menthol and Peppermint Oil?

Children; People with sensitive skin.

Products containing Menthol and Peppermint Oil

13 published products, each with its own full analysis.

BENTODENT TOOTHPASTE Natural Oral Care Toothpastes Botanical Toothpaste100g Dabur Vatika Anti Dandruff Shampoo Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar Dettol Icy Cool Bathing Soap Bar Dettol Neem Bathing Soap Bar Fang Farm Mint Natural Toothpaste Park Avenue Premium Men’s Soaps for Bath Perfora Pro+ Activated Charcoal Perfora Super Fresh Toothpaste Santoor Fresh Skin Aloe Vera & Lime Bathing Soap wit... Savlon Cool Bathing Soap Bar Shaving Cream Sandalwood & Orange Peel

Related ingredients

Other entries in the register with the same kind of concern.

Methylisothiazolinone Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate Benzisothiazolinone Bronopol CI 47000 Diazolidinyl Urea

Method and limits

Prevalence counts published products whose decoded ingredient list matches this substance or one of its label synonyms, using the same matching the score itself uses. It describes our catalogue of 912 products, not the Indian market as a whole.
Presence is not dose. An ingredient list gives order, not quantity, unless the pack declares a percentage. Nothing here estimates how much of this substance any product contains.
A classification is not a verdict on a product. An agency classifies a substance under defined conditions of exposure; whether that matters in a given food or cosmetic depends on route, concentration and use.
No regulatory rows. This substance is not matched in our regulatory warehouse, so the concern above rests on the cited authority alone.
Last updated. This register entry was last changed on 3 November 2026.
Corrections. Every figure here is reproducible from the sources named. If something is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and say what changed.