Cited skincare — every flag names its source, no upsell.
Me

Menthol

Menthol

Cooling counter-irritant that activates TRPM8. Triggers flushing in active rosacea and stings on compromised barriers.

What it does

Menthol activates the TRPM8 cold-sensing receptor, producing the cool sensation marketers describe as "tingling" or "refreshing." In rosacea-active skin, the neurogenic loop that menthol opens overlaps with the same flush pathway capsaicin activates from the warm side — both are TRP-channel triggers and both are documented to provoke or worsen episodes. On a compromised barrier, the cool sensation is often accompanied by stinging or sharp burning. Stick with fragrance-free formulas while flaring.

The evidence, graded

expert consensusDuring an active rosacea flare, ingredients that trigger TRPV1 or vasodilation channels (capsaicin, cinnamaldehyde, peppermint oil, menthol) reliably worsen flushing and burning in most patients. Avoid them when skin is flaring; they can sometimes be tolerated when the condition is well-controlled.Steinhoff 2011 · Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings ↗

Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.

Also known as

l-menthol, levomenthol

Browse all 668 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.

This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.
See what Drop doesHow Drop works