What Is Sodium Menthyl Succinate?
Sodium menthyl succinate is a salt created from menthyl succinate, which itself combines menthol from mint plants with succinic acid, a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid. By neutralizing menthyl succinate with sodium hydroxide, chemists obtain a water-soluble powder that blends easily into modern skincare and oral care formulas.
Menthol has long been valued for its crisp, cooling feel while succinic acid has been used in food and fermentation processes. In the early 2000s researchers found that linking menthol to succinic acid tames menthol’s volatility, stretches its refreshing effect and lessens irritation. Turning that ester into its sodium salt made it even more versatile, so suppliers began offering it to cosmetic labs looking for a mild cooling agent that could also tighten skin and freshen breath.
Large-scale production starts with purified menthol, often sourced from Mentha arvensis oil. Menthol is reacted with succinic anhydride to form menthyl succinate, which is then neutralized with a controlled amount of sodium hydroxide. The resulting sodium salt is filtered, dried and milled to a fine, free-flowing powder that dissolves readily in water or alcohol.
Because it gives a gentle cooling touch without the sharp sting of pure menthol, formulators slip sodium menthyl succinate into toners, sheet masks, aftershaves, pore-refining lotions, mattifying primers, foot sprays, scalp serums and almost every type of toothpaste or mouth rinse.
Sodium Menthyl Succinate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This multitasking ingredient helps products feel fresh, taste pleasant and perform better in several ways:
- Astringent – provides a mild tightening sensation that can make pores look smaller and leave skin feeling smooth and refreshed
- Denaturant – alters the taste of alcohol in a formula so it is not tempting to drink, improving product safety without affecting performance on skin
- Flavouring – supplies a clean minty taste that enhances the user experience of lip balms, mouthwashes and toothpaste
- Oral Care – delivers long-lasting cooling and breath-freshening effects while being gentler than straight menthol, making it ideal for sensitive mouths
Who Can Use Sodium Menthyl Succinate
Sodium menthyl succinate is generally well tolerated by most skin types. Oily and combination skin may appreciate its light astringent feel while normal skin enjoys the soft cooling touch. Even sensitive skin often handles it better than straight menthol because the salt form reduces the likelihood of stinging or burning. Those with very dry or compromised skin barriers should still monitor for extra dryness since any astringent can pull a bit of moisture from the surface.
The ingredient is made from plant derived menthol and either naturally occurring or fermentation produced succinic acid then neutralized with mineral based sodium hydroxide. No animal materials are used in any standard manufacturing route so it is considered suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
No research flags sodium menthyl succinate as unsafe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and its large molecular size limits penetration through intact skin. That said this information is not medical advice. Expectant or nursing mothers should review any product that contains it with their physician before use just to be safe.
Unlike certain essential oils and citrus extracts sodium menthyl succinate does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight so no special daytime restrictions are needed. It also plays nicely with most other cosmetic ingredients and is stable across the usual pH range of skincare and oral care formulas.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical sodium menthyl succinate differ from person to person. The points below outline potential concerns but most users experience none of them when the ingredient is included at standard cosmetic levels.
- Transient tingling or cooling that feels too intense – can occur on freshly exfoliated or very sensitive skin
- Temporary redness or flushing – usually subsides within minutes once the cooling phase passes
- Mild dryness or tightness – possible on already dehydrated skin due to the astringent effect
- Contact irritation or allergic dermatitis – rare but possible in individuals allergic to mint related compounds
- Stinging on broken skin – open cuts or cracked lips may feel a sharper burn than intact skin
- Eye irritation – accidental contact can cause watering and discomfort
If any of these effects persist or worsen stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 0/5
Sodium menthyl succinate is a small, water-soluble salt that leaves no oily film on skin so it cannot block pores. It is used at very low percentages and easily rinses away, keeping the pore environment clear.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin.
Because it is non-occlusive and often paired with lightweight formulas like toners and gels, it rarely appears alongside heavy pore-clogging ingredients, adding another layer of reassurance for those watching their comedogenic load.
Summary
Sodium menthyl succinate cools, tightens and freshens by pairing menthol’s minty chill with the stability of succinic acid, then converting the blend to a sodium salt so it dissolves quickly in water. In skincare it brings a gentle astringent feel that can make pores look refined while the cooling touch offers an instant refresh. In oral care it acts as a flavoring agent and delivers long-lasting breath freshness. It also denatures alcohol in formulas to discourage accidental ingestion.
The ingredient is steadily gaining popularity in niche products like sheet masks, aftershaves and sensitive-mouth toothpastes, though it has not yet reached household-name status.
Current safety data show it to be low risk for irritation or sensitization at cosmetic use levels. Still, skin is personal so do a quick patch test whenever trying a new product that lists sodium menthyl succinate to make sure it agrees with you.