Menthol
- CAS
- 1490-04-6
- PubChem CID
- 1254
- Molecular Formula
- C10H20O
- Molecular Weight
- 156.2600 g/mol
Provides minty freshness. May irritate the skin in sensitive individuals and children; has allergic potential.
What does it do?
A component derived from peppermint oil that provides a cooling sensation and minty scent.
Details
Menthol is a natural component derived from peppermint oil. It provides a refreshing cooling sensation and a minty scent to the product. It may irritate the skin in sensitive individuals and children and has the potential to cause allergic reactions. According to EU regulations, it must be listed on the label above certain concentrations (0.001% in leave-on products, 0.01% in rinse-off products).
Hazards
Benefits
Functions
Restrictions
Where is it found?
Function & Use
Masking
Soothing
Denaturant
Refreshing
Regulatory note
- EU 1223/2009 Annex IIIRestricted
Industry GHS notices (PubChem)
These are industry self-reports to ECHA, not our regulatory assessment.
- H315(100.0%)- Causes skin irritation
- H318- Causes serious eye damage
- H319(82.9%)- Causes serious eye irritation
- H335- May cause respiratory irritation
- H402- Harmful to aquatic life
- H412- Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
What The Sources Say
ToxValDB (EPA Toxicity Value Database)4
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Eye Irritation, classification: Category 6.4A (Category 2A). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Irritation, classification: Category 6.3A (Category 2). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: eye irritation: in vivo, classification: Severe Irritation, species: rabbit, study: eye irritation, guideline: OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to, year: 1989. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: skin irritation: in vivo, classification: Severe Irritation, species: rabbit, study: skin irritation, guideline: OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to, year: 1989. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.
EPA ToxCast (high-throughput in vitro screening)1
EPA ToxCast ER model: NO estrogen receptor activity found (AUC agonist=0, antagonist=0). Tested in 18 in vitro assays. Caveat: this is an in vitro screening model with no dose or exposure context; it does NOT mean an effect occurs in humans at cosmetic use levels.
Scientific References
- EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DSSTox identifiers mapped to CAS (2021r1)US EPA, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure
- EPA ToxCast/Tox21 — endocrine pathway screening (ER CERAPP, AR)US EPA, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure
- EU CosIng — Cosmetic Ingredient Database full exportEuropean Commission, DG GROW
- OpenFDA Cosmetic Adverse Events (api.fda.gov/cosmetic/event)US FDA — unvalidated adverse event reports
- PubChem — CID-Synonym-filtered bulk + PUG REST propertiesNCBI / National Library of Medicine
- ToxCast ER model — Menthol (DTXSID8029650)US EPA — ToxCast / CompTox
- ToxValDB — skin/eyeUS EPA — ToxValDB v97