Peppermint essential oil can soothe and refresh your skin.
A lot of people love the cool, clean feeling in their mouth from mint-flavored products, but peppermint essential oil can provide a lot more than fresh breath. We included it in our Redmond Clay Charcoal Mint Mask primarily due to its ability to soothe and cool the skin. Peppermint essential oil is a natural analgesic (pain reliever) and has been shown to relieve itchy skin.
Another benefit of peppermint essential oil is its potential antimicrobial and antioxidant qualities, which can cleanse the skin and bind to those pesky free radicals, slowing down the damage free radicals cause to skin cells. Peppermint is not the strongest essential oil in these areas—it is effective against some, but not all types of bacteria and some (not all) free radicals—but every little bit helps and our primary reason for including peppermint is its ability to cool, energize, and soothe the skin. The antibacterial and antioxidant properties are a bonus. (Tea tree and rosemary essential oils are the the antibacterial and antioxidant powerhouses in our Mint Charcoal Mask.)
A third benefit of peppermint oil is the aroma. Research suggests that simply smelling peppermint essential oil can ease headaches, reduce nausea, enhance memory, and increase alertness. The scent is subtle in our Mint Charcoal Mask because we didn't want to overpower those with sensitive noses, but most people will notice and, based on the very unscientific feedback we've received, the refreshing peppermint aroma adds to the charcoal mask experience.
Want to learn more? Here are a few resources you may find interesting:
- Research: Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Mentha piperita
- Research: Effectiveness of topical peppermint oil on symptomatic treatment of chronic pruritus
- Research: Peppermint Oil Decreases the Production of Virulence-Associated Exoproteins by Staphylococcus aureus
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health’s Summary of Peppermint Oil