Mint: The Nymph of Skincare

Mint is most widely seen as a stomach salve. But what most people don’t know is that the herb does wonders when placed on the skin.

The Mint has significant historical significance. It has been discovered in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1000 BC, the Hebrews used to scatter mint over the synagogue floor for its aroma, and the Romans and Greeks used mint to flavour cordials and fruit compotes, as well as baths and perfumes. PHOTO: Teagan Cloete

In Roman mythology, Mint gets its name from a mythical Nymph named Menthe (yeah, go figure). Apparently Minthe had an affair with Pluto, the god of the underworld. So Persephone, Pluto’s wife, did what any woman would do in her situation; she turned Menthe into the lowly mint. And fortunately this is just mythology, because I feel that Persephone wouldn’t be too pleased to find out that mint takes over everything. The flower bed. The vegetable patch. The cracks in the walls. Everything. Persephone would never have been able to forget pesky Menthe.

Fortunately, our focus lies not in mythology but in the real-world advantages mint offers to human health. Apart from its renowned soothing effect on the stomach, mint boasts a plethora of benefits both internally and externally. But in this post, we’ll be focusing on the external.

So why is mint good for the skin?

There are various types of mint, such as spearmint and peppermint (the latter seems to have claimed dominion over my garden). In this article the historical uses of peppermint are described. In short, peppermint has historically been used as:

• Remedy for Indigestion: Mint has been used since ancient Egyptian times to alleviate indigestion and soothe the stomach.

• Relief for Nausea and Vomiting: Peppermint has been valued in Western Europe as a folk remedy for nausea and vomiting.

• Morning Sickness Relief: It was historically used to help with morning sickness during pregnancy.

• Respiratory Infections: Peppermint has been utilised for respiratory infections, possibly due to its aromatic properties that can ease congestion and open airways.

• Menstrual Relief: In both ancient and modern times, mint has been associated with easing menstrual pain and discomfort.

• Intestinal Colic: Peppermint is listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a remedy for intestinal colic, which involves severe abdominal pain caused by muscle contractions in the intestines.

• Gas Relief: Mint can help alleviate gas and bloating.

• Colds: Peppermint may be beneficial in managing symptoms of colds, especially respiratory issues and congestion

Spearmint has its own historical reputation, being believed to offer digestive benefits, alleviate skin problems, ease headaches, promote oral hygiene, clear the voice, and even cure hiccups.

In this post, our focus will be exclusively on the exceptional qualities of peppermint. Its time-tested uses and remarkable benefits have earned it a rightful place in herbal remedies and natural health and skincare.

Benefits of mint for the skin

I was genuinely amazed by the abundance of benefits I discovered regarding mint and skincare. And most of these benefits I have now observed in my own skin

Of Course, like any organic remedy, it requires patience to witness noticeable results. So, if you identify as a everything-instant, quick-fix enthusiast, the organic route might not be the road for you. But for those seeking a solution to incorporate into their daily skincare routine, this is exactly what you've been looking for!

I used two resources for the information in the next section of this article. The first is The Health Benefits of Mint for Skin | Lifebuoy South Africa, and the second is Mint Leaves Have Soothing Benefits For Irritated Skin. For more information, please read these articles.

Dry skin

It has been found that mint leaves effectively moisturise the skin by tightening the pores. This then locks moisture in the skin. Lemon and mint-infused water is a fantastic way of staying hydrated while moisturising your skin. You need to get those eight glasses of water anyway, so why not just add mint?

For a more direct approach, making a paste from mint leaves mixed with rose water can provide instant relief from skin irritation. This is especially effective in winter, when dry, itchy skin is a daily issue.

Acne / oily skin

For the people like me out there, who don’t understand (or care) about dermatological jargon, here is the so-easy-Teagz-can-understand-it version of how mint can help solve oily skin;

Mint leaves contain salicylic acid and Vitamin A. Salicylic acid is a type of chemical compound often used in skincare products. It helps to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, making it effective in treating acne and improving skin texture. Salicylic acid is known for its exfoliating properties, which can help keep the skin clear and smooth. Vitamin A helps in the growth and development of skin cells, promoting the renewal of the skin's outer layer.

Because of these properties, mint leaves can control the amount of sebum oil in the skin. Sebum oil is the natural oil on the skin that helps keep the skin moisturised, but an excess of this oil is problematic - as I can testify.

Once again, the mint paste mentioned above is beneficial for controlling oily, acne prone skin. Only this time, try crushing mint leaves, mixing them with honey and rose water, and then leave the mixture on the skin for 15 minutes, and then wash it off.

Anti-ageing and rejuvenation

Free radicals (that is such a cool name) are unstable and reactive molecules that can cause damage to our body's cells. They are produced naturally in our bodies, and can also come from or be caused by external sources like pollution, sunlight, and unhealthy foods. Free radicals react with chemicals inside our cells, leading to various health issues and speeding up the ageing process.

I mentioned before that mint leaves contain antioxidants - more specifically, they contain the antioxidant Rosmarinic acid. This can help protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals. By neutralising these free radicals, rosmarinic acid contributes to overall health and may help prevent some signs of ageing and certain health problems.

It has been observed, in this regard, that mint delays the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Not exactly the fountain of youth, but I think that’s as close as you can get in this world!

Cleansing and toning

I have been struggling with dark circles under my eyes for years. I look permanently tired (we’ll just ignore the fact that that is mostly true…).

After doing a bit of research on the topic, I created my own concoction for dark circles using mint paste, coffee grounds, and a little bit of coconut oil (or you could substitute the coconut oil for a body wash, the results are similar). I mix all these together into a paste, and apply to the dark circles.

I must admit, after applying this to my skin I look like I attended bush school and was just getting in touch with the wild side of life before getting pulled back to civilization… but that’s okay. Leave the mixture on your skin for approximately ten minutes, and then wash it off.

I’ve only been using this mixture for about a week, I use it every second day, and I can already see a difference.

I’ve read some articles that state that you should leave the mint paste on your skin for an hour or overnight, and it works wonders for your skin, leaving you with a brighter, rejuvenated complexion. I’ve never tried this, but I can totally believe it works.

The reduction of dark circles has to do with the fact that mint leaves prevent free radical damage, or, at least, lessen the damage.

Precautions

Despite all these wonderful properties, there is a caution;

Some people are allergic to mint. I suggest you do a patch test, where you apply a small amount of mint onto the inside of your arm. If you made a paste or one of the concoctions mentioned above, test that on your skin in this manner as well. You may not be allergic to mint, but your skin may be sensitive to the mixture. Rather safe than sorry!

Other than that, I can find no other negative effect of mint on the skin. If you come across something unusual after using mint, I suggest you consult your doctor or dermatologist.

Conclusion

I am mint’s new number one fan. There is just so much that is still undiscovered about this plant, and there are so many new discoveries that scientists and dermatologists haven’t even thought of yet. I’m sure there will be tons of research about this plant over the next few years.

So next time the mint is taking over the garden, don’t just throw it all away. Whether you are struggling with dry skin, oily skin, or becoming a black-eyed pea, Menthe is your nymph for that.