Menthol

adultsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for adults to use Menthol?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Menthol is generally considered safe for adults when used in topical products. Adults generally have higher tolerance.

ℹ️General Overview

For adults: Menthol is commonly used on the skin to give a cooling feeling. Most adults can use products with low amounts of menthol without problems, but it can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

What to Do

Before using more of a menthol product, try a small patch test on the inside of your forearm and wait 24 hours. Use products made for adults and follow the label directions. Avoid applying menthol to broken, sunburned, or very sensitive skin. If you feel strong burning, severe redness, swelling, blisters, or increasing pain, wash the area and stop using the product and get medical advice. Don’t swallow menthol-containing topical products. Be aware that menthol also appears in foods and oral products, so you may have small additional exposures from other items.

⚠️Warnings

Allergic reactions and skin sensitization are the main concerns — this has been noted in regulatory sources such as the EU Cosmetics Directive and the US EPA. Menthol is used in foods and as an additive (US FDA), so multiple small exposures are possible. Some product verification programs restrict menthol unless manufacturers provide safety data. Avoid use if you know you are sensitive to peppermint or menthol, and keep menthol products out of reach of children. Seek medical care for severe reactions.

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 safe for adults to use Menthol?

Yes, Menthol is generally considered safe for adults based on current research.

What are the immune system risks of Menthol for adults?

Could weaken or confuse immune system.

What are the irritant risks of Menthol for adults?

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

What are the eczema risks of Menthol for adults?

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 adults using products with Menthol?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for adults. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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