Wintergreen Oil is a botanical aromatic oil known for its distinctive sweet, fresh, minty and slightly medicinal fragrance. It is commonly associated with Gaultheria procumbens L., also known as American Wintergreen, and is valued in fragrance applications and selected cosmetic ingredient formulations.
Wintergreen Oil is typically obtained from the leaves of the wintergreen plant through an appropriate extraction process. Its characteristic aroma is largely associated with methyl salicylate, which can account for a very high proportion of the oil. The exact composition depends on botanical source, processing method and grade.
For cosmetic manufacturers, Wintergreen Oil requires particular attention to ingredient identity, methyl salicylate content, finished-product concentration and applicable regulatory requirements. Its suitability should be assessed carefully for the intended product category rather than assumed from its natural origin.
Wintergreen Oil may be considered as a fragrance ingredient in suitable formulations when permitted by the applicable regulations and supported by a product-specific safety assessment. Manufacturers should confirm the botanical species and exact INCI designation before using the ingredient in formulation development or product labelling.
Wintergreen Oil is an aromatic botanical oil commonly obtained from Gaultheria procumbens L., a member of the Ericaceae family. The plant is also known by common names such as American Wintergreen, teaberry and checkerberry.
The relevant cosmetic ingredient name for the leaf oil is Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Oil. Other ingredient records may refer to oils obtained from different plant parts, including Gaultheria Procumbens Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil. These names should not be treated as interchangeable without checking the source material and documentation.
Methyl salicylate is the characteristic constituent associated with conventional Wintergreen Oil. It contributes to the oil's distinctive sweet, minty and medicinal aroma. The complete botanical oil is a complex material, although some grades may contain methyl salicylate at very high concentrations.
Wintergreen Oil should be distinguished from peppermint oil, spearmint oil, wintergreen extracts and isolated methyl salicylate. These materials have different identities and may have different technical and regulatory requirements.
American Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens L., is a low-growing evergreen plant in the Ericaceae family. Its leaves are used as a source of aromatic oil.
Wintergreen materials may also be obtained from other Gaultheria species, depending on the country of origin and commercial grade. In India and other Asian markets, the term Wintergreen Oil may be used for oils from different botanical sources. The actual species must therefore be confirmed before assigning an INCI name or CAS number.
For cosmetic ingredient sourcing, verify the following details:
These checks help distinguish American Wintergreen Oil from other Gaultheria oils, sweet birch oil and isolated methyl salicylate.
Wintergreen Oil typically has a sweet, minty, fresh and slightly medicinal aroma. Its characteristic scent is largely associated with methyl salicylate.
The primary source addressed on this page is Gaultheria procumbens L. Other botanical sources require separate identification and documentation.
Methyl salicylate is commonly the major constituent and may account for up to approximately 99% of some Wintergreen Oil grades. The actual content must be confirmed through grade-specific analysis.
The relevant cosmetic ingredient identity is commonly used as a fragrance or perfuming ingredient. The function and permitted use should be confirmed for the exact INCI identity and target market.
Suitability depends on botanical source, methyl salicylate concentration, finished-product exposure, product category and applicable regulatory limits.
Wintergreen Oil may be evaluated in specialised fragrance compositions where a sweet, minty and characteristic wintergreen note is required. Its strong aromatic profile means that fragrance trials and careful concentration assessment are important.
Use in soap and cleansing products should be considered only when the specific grade is permitted for the intended application and its methyl salicylate content meets the relevant requirements. Formulators should assess fragrance retention and processing compatibility.
Wintergreen Oil may be evaluated for suitable rinse-off formulations where allowed by applicable cosmetic requirements. The total methyl salicylate contribution must be calculated from all relevant ingredients in the finished product.
Some personal care formulations use wintergreen-derived ingredients for their characteristic fragrance. Suitability must be established for the exact product type, target population and market. Do not assume that a grade permitted in one product category is automatically permitted in another.
Wintergreen Oil may be considered as a specialised aromatic ingredient in selected fragrance systems. Its strong character and high methyl salicylate content require careful evaluation of the intended fragrance profile and finished-product safety.
Important: These applications are subject to the ingredient's actual composition and applicable restrictions. This page does not establish that Wintergreen Oil is permitted for every cosmetic category or concentration.
Wintergreen Oil requires particular care because its methyl salicylate content can be very high.
Methyl salicylate assessment: Obtain reliable information about the methyl salicylate concentration in the supplied grade. Calculate its total concentration in the finished product, including contributions from other ingredients.
Regulatory restrictions: Review the current requirements of the target market and the specific product category before selecting the ingredient. The European Union, for example, restricts methyl salicylate in cosmetics with concentration limits that vary by product type and age group.
Concentration selection: Do not establish a universal use level. Determine the permissible concentration through current regulatory requirements and a qualified product-specific safety assessment.
Leave-on products: Exercise particular caution when evaluating Wintergreen Oil for leave-on applications because exposure can be prolonged and the methyl salicylate contribution may be substantial.
Skin and eye compatibility: Methyl salicylate has recognised safety concerns, including potential skin sensitisation and eye irritation. Assess the actual ingredient and finished formulation using appropriate safety documentation.
Target population: Requirements can differ for products intended for children and other specific populations. Verify applicable age-related restrictions before use.
Dispersion and compatibility: Evaluate compatibility with the formulation base and other ingredients. Essential oils and aromatic materials may require a suitable solubilising or emulsifying system in water-based products.
Packaging and storage: Use compatible, tightly closed packaging and follow the supplier's storage instructions. Maintain appropriate batch identification and traceability.
Claims: Do not make unsupported therapeutic, pain-relief or other medicinal claims on a cosmetic ingredient page.
Wintergreen Oil should be evaluated against the exact botanical identity and the relevant grade specification. Because methyl salicylate can dominate its composition, its content is an important quality and safety parameter.
Relevant quality and documentation checks may include:
Numerical acceptance limits should be taken from the applicable product specification and current batch COA. Do not assume that a generic Wintergreen Oil specification applies to every Gaultheria species or botanical source.
When evaluating Wintergreen Oil for cosmetic ingredient sourcing, manufacturers should confirm botanical identity, methyl salicylate content and suitability for the intended application.
Contact Swapnroop to confirm available Wintergreen Oil grades and the documentation needed to evaluate their suitability for your intended application.
Wintergreen Oil is a botanical aromatic ingredient known for its sweet, minty fragrance and high methyl salicylate content. It may be evaluated for selected fragrance applications and cosmetic formulations when permitted by the applicable regulations.
Manufacturers sourcing Wintergreen Oil in India should verify the exact botanical species, INCI name, CAS identifier, methyl salicylate content and batch documentation before using the material in commercial production. Regulatory compliance and finished-product safety assessment are essential to determining whether the ingredient is appropriate for a particular cosmetic product.
Wintergreen-derived ingredients are used primarily for fragrance in suitable cosmetic formulations. The exact application depends on the ingredient identity, methyl salicylate concentration and applicable restrictions.
American Wintergreen Oil is commonly associated with Gaultheria procumbens L. Other commercial wintergreen materials may come from different Gaultheria species, so the botanical source should be confirmed.
Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Oil is a recognised cosmetic ingredient name. Other plant-part-specific names may apply to other materials. Use the designation that matches the supplied grade.
CAS 90045-28-6 is associated with Gaultheria procumbens flower/leaf/stem oil ingredient records. Other Wintergreen Oil materials may have different identifiers. Confirm the exact CAS number against the supplied botanical identity and technical documentation.
Methyl salicylate is commonly the principal constituent and may account for up to approximately 99% of some grades. The actual concentration should be confirmed using the batch COA or suitable analytical documentation.
No. Wintergreen Oil is a botanical material whose composition can vary. Methyl salicylate, its principal constituent, has the molecular formula C₈H₈O₃ and a molecular weight of approximately 152.15 g/mol. This formula represents methyl salicylate, not the entire botanical oil.
No. Wintergreen Oil is commonly associated with methyl salicylate, while peppermint oil has a different characteristic composition, commonly including menthol and menthone. Their identities and formulation considerations differ.
Only where the specific ingredient and concentration are permitted for the intended product category and supported by an appropriate safety assessment. Its high methyl salicylate content makes regulatory and exposure review especially important.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to light-yellow liquid or oily liquid |