The only plant that “cools” the skin without changing its temperature — thanks to a molecule that tricks its sensors.

What is mint?

Mint is a genus of aromatic perennials of the Lamiaceae family that hybridise readily with one another. Cosmetics mainly use peppermint (Mentha piperita), a hybrid of spearmint and water mint, and corn mint (Mentha arvensis), the richest natural source of menthol. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and is 35–70% menthol, with menthone, eucalyptol and menthyl acetate. The leaves also contain rosmarinic acid and flavonoids.

What are the benefits of mint?

Mint is synonymous with coolness. Applied topically, in a small proportion, it:

• Gives an immediate feeling of coolness and freshness
• Tones and invigorates the scalp
• Leaves a clean feeling on skin with a tendency to oiliness
• Offers rosmarinic acid and flavonoids with antioxidant activity
• Scents with a clean, cold, sweet note

The menthol trick

Menthol does not chill; it activates the TRPM8 receptor in the skin’s nerve endings, the same one that responds to cold. The brain “reads” cold without any change in temperature — which is why the cooling feeling arrives at once and fades gently. The same trick makes mint the most widespread flavour of oral care and of summer products.

Where does it come from?

Corn mint is grown mainly in India (Uttar Pradesh) and China, which produce most of the world’s natural menthol. Peppermint is grown in the USA (Oregon, Washington), France and England. In Greece, spearmint and mint grow in any garden with a little water.