If you take a look at the labels on beauty products, you may notice the words Mentha piperita or Mentha spicata in the ingredient listing. Mentha piperita is the Latin name for peppermint, and Mentha spicata is spearmint - two common kinds of mint. Although beauty products will most likely contain one of these two common types, there are more than 30 species in the mint family of plants.
In skin care products, mint is used in skin creams, toners, body lotions and face masks. As a beauty treatment product, it's often combined with other natural ingredients such as lavender, chamomile, jojoba and aloe vera.
Skin Benefits of Mint
As an aromatic ingredient, mint can soothe the senses and provide a pleasant scent to a variety of products for daily use. In products like shampoos, lip balms and mouth rinses, mint can give you a refreshing feeling. But in skin care products, mint can have benefits that go beyond just its aroma. It may actually help to improve your skin's condition.
If you look at the beauty products in your bathroom cabinet, you may be surprised to find that some of them contain mint. Chances are it's labeled as "menthe." What makes mint a beneficial ingredient for skin care, is its ability to act as an anti-pruritic agent. That means that its juice can soothe and calm skin is itchy or irritated. According to folkloric uses, you can even use it to help with bites from mosquitoes, wasps and bees. Because mint contains vitamin A, it may strengthen skin tissue and help reduce oily skin.
You have probably never considered rubbing mint oil on your face to prevent pimples from popping up or for it to work with superficial wounds and rashes. Mint oil, however, has served as a natural astringent, and people have used it to treat these problems for a very long time. What makes mint helpful in aiding with inflammations such as acne is its high content of salicylic acid. This acid, which is found naturally in the mint species, is an ingredient used in many skin care products. The acid helps to loosen up dead skin cells, allowing them to shed easier. That has the potential to prevent your pores from clogging up, resulting in fewer pimples and clearer skin.
With the many potential benefits to your skin, mint is a natural ingredient you may want to try.
Mint Skin Care Treatments
There are many masks available on the market that use mint as an ingredient and LON Cosmetics has such products. If you visit a spa or esthetician, you'll likely find that many of the treatments which they offer include mint. Clients who frequent spas and/or salons enjoy using mint for its scent, which many people find relaxing and soothing. It's is often combined with other natural scents such as lemon or lavender for body and facial treatments.