What it is
Mentha viridis leaf oil is the essential oil distilled from the leaves of spearmint. Its main aromatic component is carvone, which gives the characteristic sweet, fresh, minty scent, and it lacks the high menthol content of peppermint. In sunscreens and skin care it is used in small amounts to provide a refreshing aroma or to mask the base odor of other ingredients.
Safety & warnings
As a mint essential oil it can be a source of skin sensitization and may feel cooling or tingly; fragrance components in mint oils can trigger reactions in sensitive or fragrance-allergic individuals. It is best used at low concentrations, and reactive or compromised skin should approach with caution.
Origin & sourcing
Natural, plant-derived. It is produced by steam distillation of the leaves and aerial parts of the spearmint plant, Mentha viridis (Mentha spicata).
Questions everyone asks
What does spearmint leaf oil do in sunscreen?
It is used mainly as a natural fragrance, giving a fresh, minty scent and helping mask the smell of other ingredients.
Is spearmint oil the same as peppermint oil?
No. Spearmint oil is high in carvone and low in menthol, so it is sweeter and less intensely cooling than peppermint oil.