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
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| 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 (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) 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.
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Classification
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Product applications
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Cooling and refreshing products
- Hair and scalp care
- Body washes and bath additives
- Oral care
Ingredient profile
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.
OEM applications
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. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract?
- 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.
- What is the regulatory status of Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract in Japan?
- Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary. Mentha arvensis is also cultivated for the extraction of natural L-menthol used in food and pharmaceutical contexts.
- What products typically use Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract?
- Cooling and refreshing products / Hair and scalp care / Body washes and bath additives / Oral care
- Where does Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract come from?
- Plant-derived (Mentha arvensis, Japanese mint)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract?
- INCI: Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract / JSCI: ハッカ葉エキス
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Regulatory guidance
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FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. Is Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract listed in CosIng?
Yes, 'Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract' is in the CosIng database as a skin-conditioning, refreshing, and fragrance ingredient. Hakka oil ('Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil') is also a separately listed INCI ingredient.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- CosIng database — INCI: Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
- CosIng database — INCI: Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Q. Is Hokkaido-origin (Kitami) hakka oil a registered Geographical Indication?
Hokkaido's Kitami region is historically the dominant producer of Japanese hakka oil; buyers should consult the 農林水産省 (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) GI Registry to confirm any current GI registration status for specific Kitami-hakka products. Regional-origin claims should retain supplier provenance documentation.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 農林水産省 (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) — Geographical Indication (GI) Registry
Q. Is hakka oil restricted in leave-on cosmetics due to menthol content?
Hakka oil is rich in menthol (often 70%+); IFRA guidance and EU Annex III restrictions apply to certain menthol-containing materials at high levels. Use levels in leave-on formulations should be conservative (typically <0.5% essential oil) and validated against IFRA Standards for the destination market.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- IFRA Standards — current amendment
- EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 — Annex III
Q. Can hakka extract be used in oral-care products in Japan?
Yes — Mentha Arvensis-derived materials are widely used in toothpaste and mouthwash formulations, but oral-care products with medicated claims are quasi-drugs and require quasi-drug registration with quasi-drug-approved actives. Cosmetic mouthwash exists as a separate registration category.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) — Quasi-Drug Active Ingredient List (oral care)
Use cases
Cooling body wash / shower gel
- Positioning
- Summer-season cooling-body line
- Typical usage level
- 0.05–0.5% essential oil; 0.5–3% extract
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese summer cosmetic launches
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Scalp-cooling shampoo / conditioner
- Positioning
- Men's grooming and summer-season scalp refresh line
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese haircare market
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Bath additive
- Positioning
- Cooling-bath summer line for at-home soaking experience
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese bath-product market
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Toothpaste / mouthwash (cosmetic-registered)
- Positioning
- Refreshing oral-care line with Japanese-hakka heritage narrative
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese oral-care segment
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
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Official regulatory databases
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References
- JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) 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.