Ingredient review

American Pennyroyal Extract

INCI: HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES (AMERICAN PENNYROYAL) EXTRACT

American pennyroyal extract is a fragrant botanical that poses notable skin irritation risks and is not recommended for routine skincare use.

beautyskincarebotanical extract

In plain English

American pennyroyal extract comes from a mint-family plant. It has a strong, minty scent and has been used in traditional herbalism. In skincare, it is mainly added for fragrance. However, it contains compounds called pulegone and menthofuran that can irritate skin and even cause allergic reactions. Many experts advise against using it in leave-on products because of these risks. If you see it on a label, it's best to choose a gentler alternative.

Review score

Safety, usefulness, and evidence

2.0Poor
2.0/ 5

Higher-caution ingredient

The evidence base is still emerging, so marketing claims deserve extra caution.

Main practical flags: irritation is high; clogging risk is low.

Source
natural
Evidence
emerging
Irritation
high
Clogging risk
low
How reviews are scored

Quick decision guide

Read the cautions before using

American Pennyroyal Extract can be useful, but watch for high irritation potential.

Plain-English read

Treat this as a practical screening step before you compare products that contain this ingredient.

  1. Step 1Start with the score, then check the irritation and clogging risk before judging American Pennyroyal Extract.
  2. Step 2Use the "Best for" and "Use caution if" sections to match the ingredient to your skin, not just to a marketing claim.
  3. Step 3If a product stings, breaks you out, or worsens irritation, judge the finished formula and stop using it even if the ingredient scores well.

Score terms in plain English

Irritation risk

high

More likely to cause dryness, stinging, peeling, or reactivity if used too aggressively.

Clogging risk

low

Less likely to feel heavy or contribute to clogged pores for most skin types.

Evidence level

emerging

The ingredient may be promising, but claims should be treated more cautiously.

What it is

American pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides) is a perennial herb native to North America. The extract is obtained from the leaves and flowering tops, typically through steam distillation or solvent extraction. It contains volatile oils rich in pulegone, menthofuran, and other terpenoids that give it a strong minty aroma.

How it works

In a cosmetic product, American pennyroyal extract primarily serves as a fragrance ingredient. The volatile compounds in the oil evaporate on the skin, releasing a minty scent. It may also have mild antimicrobial properties, but these are not strong enough to be a primary preservative. The pulegone content can cause skin irritation and sensitization, especially with repeated use or in higher concentrations.

Pros

Natural minty scent

Provides a fresh, herbal fragrance that some people enjoy in personal care products.

Traditional use

Has a long history of use in herbal preparations, which may appeal to those seeking natural ingredients.

Cons and cautions

Skin irritation risk

Contains pulegone and other volatile compounds that can cause redness, stinging, or allergic contact dermatitis, especially on sensitive skin.

Safety concerns

Pulegone is classified as a potential toxin by some regulatory bodies; ingestion or high dermal absorption can be harmful. Cosmetic use is controversial.

Best for

  • Those who tolerate mint-based fragrances well and have no history of skin sensitivity
  • Formulators seeking a natural mint scent in rinse-off products at very low concentrations

Use caution if

  • Anyone with sensitive, reactive, or eczema-prone skin
  • Pregnant or nursing individuals (due to pulegone's potential toxicity)
  • Those with known allergies to mint-family plants

Usage tips

If you choose to use a product with this extract, do a patch test on a small area of skin first.
Avoid using products containing this extract on broken, irritated, or sunburned skin.
Prefer rinse-off products (like soap or shampoo) over leave-on products (like lotions or serums) to minimize exposure.

Safety summary

American pennyroyal extract poses a high risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions due to its pulegone content. It is not recommended for leave-on skincare products, especially for sensitive skin. Regulatory bodies restrict its use in fragrances, and ingestion is toxic. Safer mint alternatives exist.

Research notes

Research on American pennyroyal in cosmetics is limited. Most safety data comes from studies on pennyroyal oil and pulegone, which show dermal irritation, sensitization, and potential neurotoxicity at high doses. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has not published a final safety assessment for this specific extract, but pulegone is flagged as a concern by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

Common label clues

Typical concentration
Very low (typically under 0.1% in leave-on products)
Regulatory status
In the EU, pennyroyal oil is restricted in cosmetic products due to pulegone content. The FDA does not approve it for internal use, and it is not generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food. Cosmetic use is allowed but heavily restricted in many regions.
Common uses
Fragranced products, Traditional herbal preparations
Environmental note
American pennyroyal is a native North American plant that can be wild-harvested or cultivated. Overharvesting in the wild may threaten local populations, so sustainable sourcing is important.

Good to know

  • American pennyroyal is different from European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), but both contain pulegone and have similar safety concerns.
  • The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) restricts the use of pennyroyal oil in fragrances due to sensitization and toxicity risks.
  • This extract is not the same as pennyroyal essential oil, which is even more concentrated and hazardous.

Common questions

What is American Pennyroyal Extract in beauty products?

American pennyroyal extract comes from a mint-family plant. It has a strong, minty scent and has been used in traditional herbalism. In skincare, it is mainly added for fragrance. However, it contains compounds called pulegone and menthofuran that can irritate skin and even cause allergic reactions. Many experts advise against using it in leave-on products because of these risks. If you see it on a label, it's best to choose a gentler alternative.

What does American Pennyroyal Extract do in a beauty product?

In a cosmetic product, American pennyroyal extract primarily serves as a fragrance ingredient. The volatile compounds in the oil evaporate on the skin, releasing a minty scent. It may also have mild antimicrobial properties, but these are not strong enough to be a primary preservative. The pulegone content can cause skin irritation and sensitization, especially with repeated use or in higher concentrations.

Is American Pennyroyal Extract safe for most people?

American pennyroyal extract poses a high risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions due to its pulegone content. It is not recommended for leave-on skincare products, especially for sensitive skin. Regulatory bodies restrict its use in fragrances, and ingestion is toxic. Safer mint alternatives exist.

Who should be careful with American Pennyroyal Extract?

Anyone with sensitive, reactive, or eczema-prone skin Pregnant or nursing individuals (due to pulegone's potential toxicity) Those with known allergies to mint-family plants

Research sources

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – PulegoneOpenInternational Fragrance Association (IFRA) StandardsOpenCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) – Pennyroyal OilOpen

Ingredient reviews are educational and are not medical advice. Patch test new products and ask a licensed clinician about persistent irritation, allergies, pregnancy-specific questions, or diagnosed skin conditions.