Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Mentha viridis plant, commonly known as Garden Mint or Spearmint. This plant belongs to the Labiatae (Lamiaceae) family and is valued for its fresh, minty aroma. The essential oil is used in cosmetics and skincare products for its refreshing and aromatic properties.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Carvone: The primary compound responsible for the characteristic spearmint aroma.
Limonene: Adds citrusy notes to the fragrance.
Piperitone: Contributes to the minty and slightly sweet scent.
Other Terpenes: Various terpenes that enhance the overall aromatic profile and potential therapeutic benefits of the oil.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Clear or slightly green liquid, depending on the concentration and extraction method.
Odor: Fresh, minty aroma with herbaceous undertones, due to the presence of carvone and other aromatic compounds.
Solubility: Soluble in oils and solvents; not soluble in water.
pH: Generally neutral or slightly acidic, similar to the pH of the skin.

Production Process:

Cultivation: Mentha viridis is grown under optimal conditions to produce high-quality leaves.
Harvesting: Leaves are collected when they reach peak aromatic quality.
Extraction: The essential oil is extracted from the leaves using steam distillation or other suitable methods.
Formulation: The extracted oil is incorporated into various cosmetic and skincare products, such as toners, lotions, and masks.

Applications:

Cosmetics and Skincare: Used in toners, lotions, and other facial products for its refreshing and aromatic properties.
Hair Care Products: Included in shampoos and conditioners for its invigorating effects and pleasant fragrance.
Aromatherapy: Utilized in diffusers and other aromatherapy products for its fresh, minty scent.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: Sustainable practices should be employed to minimize environmental impact and ensure the quality of the oil.
Safety: Generally regarded as safe for external use. As with all essential oils, potential allergic reactions or individual intolerances should be considered, and care should be taken with high concentrations.

Cosmetic safety

Restricted cosmetic ingredient as III/362 a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported: Mentha spicata oil (spearmint oil). The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.

INCI:


Cosmetic astringent. This ingredient exerts a direct effect on the skin by tightening dilated pores by contracting stratum corneum cells and removing superfluous oil.

Fragrance. It plays a very important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
Synonyms:

CAS: 84696-51-5 EC number 283-656-2