Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Oil

Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) leaf oil is an essential oil high in natural methyl salicylate, distilled from wintergreen leaves. Used mainly for a sharp, minty aroma, and kept at low levels due to notable irritation potential.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
Wintergreen oil with a minty scent; can be irritating in higher amounts.
Category
Fragrance
Type
Essential Oil

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Poor

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Delivers a crisp, minty scent that refreshes the senses; it's primarily aromatic with no proven skin-corrective effects. Can be irritating for some users, so products typically use very low amounts.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Appears in fragranced shampoos, shower gels, and foot scrubs for a brisk aroma at conservative levels. Occasionally included in scented lotions or balms where a cool scent is desired.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

Essential oil rich in methyl salicylate can irritate skin and should be used only at very low concentrations; avoid use on broken or highly sensitive skin. Subject to concentration limits in regions such as the EU. Those sensitive to salicylates may react more readily.

Is Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Oil a Good Ingredient?

It rates Poor because it's primarily an aroma ingredient with no substantiated skin-corrective effect, and its high methyl salicylate content raises notable irritation and sensitization risk. Overuse can be genuinely problematic, especially on compromised skin, which is why it lands at the bottom of the scale.

Products with Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Oil

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