Cosmetics · Plant extracts
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
ハッカ葉エキス (Hakka-ha ekisu)
Also known as: Japanese Mint Extract, Hakka Extract
At a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract |
| Japanese labeling name | ハッカ葉エキス |
| Common Japanese notations | ハッカ葉エキス, 薄荷エキス |
| Origin | Plant-derived (Mentha arvensis, Japanese mint) |
| Typical functions | Cooling, Fragrance, Skin conditioning |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI labeling name dictionary. Mentha arvensis is also cultivated for the extraction of natural L-menthol used in food and pharmaceutical contexts. |
Mentha arvensis — Japanese mint (hakka) — has been cultivated in Hokkaido since the late 19th century and was historically one of the world's largest sources of natural menthol. The leaf extract and essential oil are widely used in products positioning around freshness and cooling sensation.
Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Cooling and refreshing products
- Hair and scalp care
- Body washes and bath additives
- Oral care
What it is
Mentha arvensis leaf extract is produced by water or hydro-alcoholic extraction of Mentha arvensis leaves. The extract contains menthol, menthone, isomenthone, and terpene constituents along with flavonoids and phenolic compounds.
The corresponding essential oil — Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil — and isolated menthol fractions are separate ingredients with their own specifications and typical use patterns.
Typical uses in Japanese products
In cosmetics, hakka extract appears in cooling body products, scalp-care and hair-rinse formulations, body washes, bath additives, and oral-care products. Cooling positioning is the predominant use-case.
Hakka essential oil is a widely-exported Japanese specialty aromatic, used in food flavoring, confectionery, and pharmaceutical applications under separate regulatory frameworks.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Listed in the JSCI Japanese Cosmetic Ingredient Codex and permitted for cosmetic use. Menthol as a separate substance is regulated in other contexts.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use. Fragrance allergen labeling may apply. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized by PCPC. |
| China | Permitted per IECIC listings. |
| Korea | Permitted under KFDA / MFDS. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
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Related ingredients
References
- JSCI labeling name directory — ハッカ葉エキス
- EU CosIng entry: Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.