Pennyroyal Oil
Category: Essential Oil
Brief Description: Pennyroyal oil is derived from the pennyroyal plant, a member of the mint family. It has a strong, minty, and herbaceous aroma. The cost of Pennyroyal Oil is around $15-25 per oz.
Benefits: Its primary use is as a fragrance component in soaps and cosmetic products. It has limited skincare benefits.
Skin Type Suitability/Concerns: Not recommended for skin application due to its high pulegone content which can cause skin and mucous membrane irritation.
Target Audience: Not typically used for targeted skin benefits, but may be appreciated by those who enjoy its distinctive aroma in fragranced products.
Chemical Composition: Contains pulegone, neomenthone, isomenthone, and other constituents.
Physical Aspect: A clear to yellowish liquid.
Compatibility: Blends well with other mint oils, as well as rosemary, sage, and lavender.
Concentration: Due to its potential toxicity, it is used in very low concentrations, if at all, in cosmetics.
Side Effects/Adverse Reactions: Can cause skin and mucous membrane irritation.
Regulatory Status: Its use in cosmetics is restricted in several regions, including the EU, due to its potential toxicity.
Sustainability/Ethical Considerations: Pennyroyal is a common and easily grown plant. However, due to its potential toxicity, its cultivation and use should be carefully managed.
Variants: European pennyroyal oil and American pennyroyal oil, derived from different species of the plant, have similar properties but slightly different chemical compositions.
