What Is Menthyl Succinate?
Menthyl succinate is an ester created by combining menthol, the cooling compound found in peppermint oil, with succinic acid, a naturally occurring substance present in many plants and sugars. The result is a white to off-white powder or crystalline solid that has a mild minty scent without the intense chill of pure menthol. First explored in the late twentieth century as chemists searched for gentler ways to harness menthol’s refreshing feel, it soon caught the eye of cosmetic formulators who needed astringent action without the sharpness of alcohol-based ingredients. Today most commercial menthyl succinate is produced through an esterification process: purified menthol is reacted with succinic anhydride under controlled heat, then the mixture is cooled and filtered to isolate the ester, which is finally milled for easy blending into creams and gels. You will commonly find it in toners, post-shave lotions, mattifying moisturizers, sheet masks and pore-minimizing primers where a light tightening effect is desired.
Menthyl Succinate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient is valued in skincare because it acts as an astringent. By lightly constricting skin proteins it can reduce the look of enlarged pores, curb surface oil and leave the complexion feeling smoother and refreshed. Its gentle mint-derived origin offers these benefits without the sting or strong scent often associated with traditional astringents, making it suitable for daily use in products aimed at combination to oily skin types.
Who Can Use Menthyl Succinate
Menthyl succinate’s mild astringent action makes it most appealing to combination and oily skin, where it can help temper excess surface oil and refine the look of pores. Normal skin generally tolerates it well, while very dry or highly reactive complexions may find the tightening effect a touch too drying or notice a slight cooling tingle. Patchy flakiness, eczema or open cuts could allow the ingredient to sting, so those conditions warrant extra caution.
Because the compound is synthesized from menthol and succinic acid, both plant derived, and does not use animal by-products or animal testing in typical supply chains, it is considered suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Current safety data show no specific risks for pregnant or breastfeeding women when the ingredient is used in the low percentages common to cosmetics. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should run all skincare products past a qualified healthcare provider before use.
Menthyl succinate is not known to increase photosensitivity so daytime application does not require special sun-avoidance measures beyond the usual recommendation to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen. It also plays nicely with most active ingredients since it is not an acid or peroxide, meaning formulators can pair it with niacinamide, retinoids or antioxidants without concern for destabilization.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical menthyl succinate vary from person to person. The effects listed below are only possibilities and are unlikely for most users when the ingredient is properly formulated at standard cosmetic levels.
- Transient tingling or cooling a mild sensation that usually fades within minutes
- Redness or flushing typically short lived and more common on very sensitive skin
- Dry or tight feel if used repeatedly on already dehydrated skin
- Stinging on broken or compromised skin such as cuts cracked areas or post-exfoliation
- Contact irritation or allergic dermatitis rare but possible in individuals sensitive to menthol derivatives
- Eye irritation tearing or burning if the product migrates into the ocular area
If you experience any of these reactions stop using the product rinse the area with cool water and seek advice from a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5. Menthyl succinate is a lightweight powder that dissolves easily in water-based or alcohol-based formulas and leaves no oily film on the skin. Because it does not contain long-chain fatty acids or heavy waxes its chance of blocking pores is very low, earning it a near non-comedogenic score.
This makes the ingredient generally friendly for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin, especially when used in toners gels or lotions intended to keep the finish matte.
No studies have reported it worsening blackheads or whiteheads, and its mild astringent nature may even help keep pores feeling cleaner though results vary by formulation.
Summary
Menthyl succinate is a gentle astringent created by combining menthol with succinic acid. In skincare it lightly tightens the surface of the skin, helps reduce the appearance of pores and delivers a subtle refreshing sensation without the sharp bite of pure menthol.
While not as famous as salicylic acid or witch hazel it appears in a growing number of modern toners primers and post-shave products because formulators like its balance of mildness and performance.
Current safety data show a low risk of irritation or pore clogging at the small percentages used in cosmetics. Still every skin is unique so it is wise to patch test any new product that contains menthyl succinate before applying it to larger areas.