KEY INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT

MENTHOL

In cosmetics and skincare products, menthol is used to help relieve pain and to improve the scent and flavor of the product. The pain relieving aspect is due to menthol’s ability to create a cooling sensation. Rather than lowering the temperature of the skin, the cooling effect occurs when menthol blocks the calcium current along the nerves responsible for detecting temperature. The nerve endings translate a message to the brain that the skin is cooling, and can relieve pain. The cooling sensation provided by menthol makes it a very useful ingredient for after-sun products, such as creams, lotions, and gels, because it alleviates the hot, painful sensation caused by overexposure to the sun. Menthol is also found in products that can be applied topically to muscles or the forehead in order to relieve pain due to overexertion or  headaches.  Other uses for menthol in personal care products include as a fragrance and flavoring ingredient. Menthol has a characteristic minty taste and smell, ant it is commonly used in lip care products producing increased blood flow to that area, resulting in a temporary plumping effect.