Menthol
On the label: Menthol · Active · regulated as a drug in some uses
What it is
The cooling compound of peppermint; in the US an over-the-counter drug ingredient when used for itch or pain relief, a cosmetic when used for feel.
Actives: Actives are the ingredients a product is built around: acids, retinoids, vitamins and the like.
Wikidata: Organic compound used as flavouring and analgesic. Q407418 →
In the research
617 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- Exploring Moringa-Derived Phytosterol From East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, as Antialopecia Agent: 5α-Reductase Inhibition and Topical Tonic for Sustainable Health Innovation and Dev · Scientifica, 2026
- pH-responsive hydrogel facilitates skin penetration of extracellular vesicle-like nanovesicles for enhanced atopic dermatitis therapy · Regenerative biomaterials, 2026
- Can deep eutectic mixtures affect the skin permeation and rheological behavior of thermoresponsive hydrogels? A case study with ibuprofen · Journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 2026
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Other actives
Dew & Balm describes ingredients from the public record and makes no claim about what a product will do for you. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If a product causes a reaction, stop using it; a reaction that spreads or affects breathing is a call to a doctor or 911.