Menthol

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Menthol?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Menthol is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For school-age children (5 years and older), menthol in low-strength creams or balms is usually okay but can irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions in some kids.

What to Do

If you use a product with menthol on a child: choose a product made for children or a low-strength product, do a small patch test on the arm and wait 24 hours, don’t put it on broken or sore skin, keep it away from the eyes, nose and mouth, and supervise use. Stop use and wash the area if your child has burning, strong stinging, redness, swelling, or trouble breathing.

⚠️Warnings

Allergy risk: menthol is listed as a potential allergen by the EU Cosmetics Directive and the U.S. EPA — watch for rashes, swelling, or breathing changes. Multiple exposure: menthol is also used in foods and medicines (FDA), so consider total exposure if your child uses other menthol products. Some product verification programs restrict menthol unless its use is justified — avoid concentrated or adult-strength rubs. If a reaction is severe or your child has breathing difficulty, seek medical care right away.

Confidence: HIGH

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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 kid-friendly to use Menthol?

Yes, Menthol is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the immune system risks of Menthol for children?

Could weaken or confuse immune system.

What are the irritant risks of Menthol for children?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin.

What are the eczema risks of Menthol for children?

Linked to triggering or worsening eczema and similar skin conditions.

What products contain Menthol?

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

When can kids start using products with Menthol?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 5+ year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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