Menthol

1-2 year old toddlersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this toddler-safe to use Menthol?

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NOT RECOMMENDED
Danger Score: 6 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Menthol not recommended for 1-2 year old toddlers when used in topical products. Watch for toddler-specific sensitivities.

ℹ️General Overview

For 1–2 year olds (toddlers): menthol can cool skin and smell strong, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some children and its fumes can bother breathing. Because of that, it is not a good choice for everyday products for toddlers.

What to Do

Choose menthol-free products for toddlers when possible. Do not use products with menthol on the face or near the nose. If you must try a product with menthol on your child, do a small patch test on the inner forearm and wait 24 hours to watch for redness, swelling, or rash. Stop use immediately if you see irritation or any breathing changes. Keep menthol-containing products out of reach so toddlers do not touch or eat them.

⚠️Warnings

Menthol is listed as a known human allergen (EU Cosmetics Directive) and the EPA cites strong evidence of allergic reactions — watch for skin redness, itching, swelling, hives, runny nose, coughing or breathing trouble. The FDA notes menthol is also used in foods, so toddlers can get exposed from several sources. Some product verification lists restrict menthol unless safety is shown. If your child has any breathing difficulty, seek medical care right away.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Immune system: Menthol is identified as a known human allergen and flagged with strong evidence of human toxicant/allergen by regulatory bodies (EU Cosmetics Directive and the U.S. EPA). That means it can trigger allergic or immune reactions when put on the skin.
Irritant: Regulatory assessments list menthol as a human allergen/toxicant, which is linked to skin reactions like redness, stinging, or contact dermatitis—especially when applied topically to sensitive skin.
Eczema: Because menthol is a recognized human allergen (per the EU cosmetics review and U.S. EPA findings), it can trigger or worsen eczema and similar inflammatory skin conditions in susceptible people.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Menthol

This ingredient may also be listed as:

N1950CYCLOHEXANOL, (1.ALPHA.,2.BETA.,5.ALPHA.)-S5868L-MENTHOL|LEVOMENTHOL|MENTHOMENTHOL|MENTHACAMPHORC00400(1R,2S,5R)-(-)-MENTHOL, SYNTHETIC PELLETSAB00052320_02114376-98-6(1R,2S,5R)-(-)-MENTHOL, >=99%, SUBLIMEDQ407418MENTHOLmenthol

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Menthol

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Menthol or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Menthol

Is this toddler-safe to use Menthol?

Menthol is not recommended for 1-2 year old toddlers due to potential safety risks.

What are the immune system risks of Menthol for toddlers?

Could weaken or confuse immune system. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the irritant risks of Menthol for toddlers?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the eczema risks of Menthol for toddlers?

Linked to triggering or worsening eczema and similar skin conditions. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What products contain Menthol?

Menthol is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can toddlers using products with Menthol?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 1-2 year old toddlers. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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