10 Benefits Of Mint (Pudina) For Skin And 11 Ways To Use It

Can you use mint for the skin? What are its benefits? Mint, commonly known as Pudina, is a popular flavoring component used in recipes all around the globe. Due to its wonderful skin care benefits, it is also a common element in the skin care industry. It is incorporated in creams and lotions, cleansers, shampoos, lip balms, and even conditioners. These items usually promise to have a “cooling sensation” on your skin, although mint has various other beneficial properties. In this article, we will look at the numerous skin benefits of mint and how to use it in different ways. Continue reading to learn all about mint’s nutritional value and the advantages of using it for your skin.

Trivia

There are more than 30 recorded species of mints. Mentha piperita (peppermint) and Mentha spicata (spearmint) are commonly found in skincare products.

Nutritional Value Of Mint Leaves For Skin

Pudina or spearmint, a fragrant herb, is a rich source of essential vitamins and nutrients that can benefit the skin. While specific nutritional data can vary, spearmint is generally abundant in vitamins A and C, which help protect the skin from oxidative stress, prevent premature aging, and support collagen production. It also contains various minerals such as iron, potassium, and manganese, which promote skin health. It is also rich in antioxidants such as niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin, which may help prevent skin damage (1). Additionally, spearmint is known for its menthol content, which provides a cooling and soothing sensation when consumed or applied topically, making it beneficial for digestion and skin care.

Learn more about this herb and its benefits for your skin below.

Why Is Mint Good For Your Skin?

Mint is an abundant source of menthol and has strong antibacterial properties. It has a refreshing fragrance that is enough to lift your spirits. It is often used in cleansers, astringents, toners, essential oils, and moisturizers. The ingredient offers the following benefits for your skin:

Benefits Of Mint For Skin

1. May Brighten Your Complexion

Mint has an extremely refreshing and soothing effect on your skin. When applied to the skin, it allows it to relax while acting on any blemishes that might be present. This leaves your skin looking bright and refreshed after each treatment.

2. May Treat Acne

Mint has strong antibacterial properties and contains salicylic acid – both of which effectively prevent acne (2). It also contains vitamin A, which controls the secretion of oil in people who have oily and acne-prone skin. The application of this ingredient may help treat acne while cleaning your pores.

Diana, a skincare enthusiast and YouTuber, recounted her struggle with hormonal acne. She tried spearmint tea to combat this issue and shared her results in her vlog. She said, “There is not that much irritation left. Overall, there was a small improvement in how my skin looked after drinking spearmint tea (i).”

3. Soothes Mosquito Bites And Other Irritations

The strong anti-inflammatory properties of this ingredient soothe the irritation from mosquito bites and other skin aggravating conditions (3).

4. May Hydrate Your Skin

When used with the right ingredients, mint locks moisture in your skin by tightening your pores. It also softens and calms dry and itchy skin.

5. May Tone Your Skin

Mint is a mild astringent that can be used to tone your skin. The ingredient may remove dirt and grime from your pores and refine them to leave you with smoother, softer, and well-hydrated skin.

6. May Get Rid Of Blackheads

Blackheads form when dirt and oil settle into your pores and clog them. As mentioned above, mint keeps your pores clean and tightens them. This gets rid of blackheads and prevents them from reoccurring.

7. Rejuvenates Your Skin

The topical application of mint can boost blood circulation, ensuring that your skin is well nourished. This rejuvenates your skin and keeps it healthy. The ingredient is also rich in antioxidants that keep your skin healthy and damage-free.

8. May Slow Down Aging

Ensuring that your skin is nourished and hydrated is the only way to slow aging. As mint boosts the circulation of blood to your skin and hydrates it, it also delays the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.

9. May Lighten And Remove Acne Scars

Using mint leaves for acne scars is an easy home remedy to treat an uneven skin tone. The salicylic acid content of mint leaves assists in smooth cell turnover. It loosens dead skin cells and ensures that the new ones are healthy, giving you clear skin.

10. May Diminish Under-Eye Dark Circles

Dark circles can be caused by a myriad of factors but mint can diminish and prevent them with its antioxidant content. The antioxidants in mint heal your skin and revitalize it. The skin under your eye is fragile and prone to damage – the antioxidants keep it damage-free by neutralizing free radicals.

Did You Know?

The earliest records of using mint for the skin go as far back as 10,000 BC in ancient Egypt. Peppermint oil, among others, was used to soften the skin and combat body odor.

How To Use Mint For Your Skin

We’ve covered that mint offers numerous benefits when it comes to skin health. Now, let’s look at the different ways you can include mint in your skincare routine.

1. Cucumber, Mint Leaves, And Honey Face Pack For Skin Whitening

You Will Need

• ½ inch slice of cucumber
• 10-12 mint leaves
• ½ tbsp honey

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

20 minutes

Method

1. Grind the ingredients together until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Apply this mixture onto your face as you would a face pack.
3. Leave it on for about 20 minutes.
4. Proceed to rinse your face with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

Honey has mild bleaching properties that can lighten a tan and fade blemishes. It can also prevent skin pigmentation, clearing out your face and improving your complexion. Cucumber hydrates your skin and has soothing properties that calm inflammations.

2. Banana And Mint Face Pack For Glowing Skin

You Will Need

• 2 tbsp mashed banana
• 10-12 mint leaves

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

30 minutes

Method

1. Grind the banana and mint leaves together until they form a smooth mixture.
2. Apply this mixture onto your face as you would a face pack.
3. Leave it on for 15-30 minutes.
4. Rinse your face with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

Banana is a rich source of vitamins A, B, C, and E. It also contains potassium, lectic, amino acids, and zinc. The combination of these nutrients help hydrate your skin, nourish it, fight oxidative damage, prevent acne, fade acne scars, boost collagen production, fight UV damage, and improve skin elasticity. In combination with mint, banana boosts skin health and leaves it looking radiant.

3. Lemon And Mint Face Pack For Acne

You Will Need

• 10-12 mint leaves
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

15 minutes

Method

1. Grind the mint leaves with a mortar and pestle and it to add the lemon juice.
2. Apply this mixture onto your acne, acne scars, and acne-prone areas of your skin.
3. Leave it on for about 15 minutes.
4. Proceed to rinse your face with cool water.

How Often?

Once a day.

Why This Works

Mint leaves contain salicylic acid, which treats and prevents acne. Lemon juice has mild bleaching properties that fade acne scars. Lemon juice also contains vitamin C, which boosts the healing process of your skin. At the same time, the rejuvenating aroma of this soothing pack calms your senses.

4. Milk, Honey, Oats, Cucumber, And Mint Skin Scrub

You Will Need

• 1 tbsp oats
• 10-12 mint leaves
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tsp milk
• A half-inch slice of cucumber

Prep Time

2 minutes.

Treatment Time

10 minutes

Method

1. Grate the cucumber and mash the mint leaves.
2. Proceed to combine all the ingredients until you get a coarse mixture.
3. Apply this mixture onto your face as you would a face pack and let it dry for about 7 minutes.
4. After 7 minutes, gently scrub your face in circular motions to slough off any dead skin cells.
5. Scrub for 2-3 minutes and then rinse your face with cool water.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

This is one of the best scrubs you could use for dry or sensitive skin. The scrub is gentle on your face but it also cleans your pores and sloughs off any dead skin cells. It also nourishes your skin and leaves it looking radiant and healthy.

5. Multani Mitti And Mint For Oily Skin

You Will Need

• 1 tbsp multani mitti
• 10-12 mint leaves
• ½ tbsp honey
• ½ tbsp curd

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

20 minutes

Method

1. Grind the mint leaves with a mortar and pestle and add multani mitti, honey, and curd.
2. Stir the ingredients together until you get a smooth mixture.
3. Apply this mixture onto your face as you would a face pack.
4. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and then rinse your face with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

Multani mitti is one of the best ingredients to use for oil control. In combination with mint leaves, it nourishes your face with its rich mineral content and removes excess oils from your skin while deeply cleansing your pores. The honey and curd in this face pack work together to restore your skin’s moisture balance without leaving it feeling greasy.

6. Yogurt And Mint For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 2 tbsp yogurt
• 1 tbsp multani mitti
• 10-12 mint leaves

Prep Time

5 minutes

Treatment Time

20 minutes

Method

1. Grind the mint leaves with a mortar and pestle and, to it, add the yogurt and multani mitti.
2. Stir the ingredients together until you get a smooth mixture.
3. Apply this mixture onto your face as you would a face pack.
4. Leave it on for about 20 minutes.
5. Proceed to rinse your face with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

Yogurt hydrates your skin while the multani mitti thickens the mixture and nourishes your skin with its rich mineral content. This face pack will leave your skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and nourished.

7. Honey, Rose Water, And Mint Leaves For Normal Skin

You Will Need

• 1 tbsp rose water
• ½ tbsp honey
• 10-12 mint leaves

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

20 minutes

Method

1. Grind the ingredients to get a smooth mixture.
2. Apply this mixture onto your face as you would a face pack.
3. Leave it on for about 20 minutes.
4. Rinse your face with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

Rose water is one of the best skin care ingredients. It refines your pores, hydrates your skin, and controls acne, all while being gentle on your skin. In combination with honey and mint, it tones your skin, improves your complexion, and keeps your skin hydrated.

8. Cucumber And Mint Pack For Sunburns

You Will Need

• 1/4th of a fresh cucumber
• 10-12 mint leaves

Prep Time

• 2 minutes.

Treatment Time

20 minutes

Method

1. Grind the ingredients together until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Apply the mixture onto the affected areas of your skin.
3. Leave it on for about 20 minutes.
4. Rinse off with cool water.

How Often?

Twice a day.

Why This Works

Cucumber and mint leaves have a cooling effect on your skin. This, combined with the anti-inflammatory properties of mint leaves, relieves the pain from sunburns while ensuring that your skin heals faster.

9. Mint Leaves For Dry And Itchy Skin

You Will Need

• 6 tsp fresh mint leaves
• ½ liter water
• Washcloth

Prep Time

30 minutes

Treatment Time

10-15 minutes

Method

1. Boil the mint leaves in half a liter of water for about 20 minutes.
2. Allow the water to cool and then strain it.
3. Soak a washcloth in the cooled tea.
4. Spread the cloth onto the affected area.
5. Leave it on for about 2-3 minutes.
6. Repeat the process 4-5 times.

How Often?

1-2 times a day.

Why This Works

Mint is an abundant source of menthol, which has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce itching and other types of skin aggravation. Mint is also a great source of rosmarinic, which is a natural acid that treats rashes.

10. Mint Water As A Toner

You Will Need

• 1 ½ cup water
• 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves
• Cotton pad
• Moisturizer

Prep Time

30 minutes

Treatment Time

5 minutes

Method

1. Boil the mint leaves in one and a half cups of water for about 20 minutes.
2. Allow the water to cool and then filter out the mint leaves.
3. Apply this solution to your face with a cotton pad after you wash your face.
4. Proceed to moisturize your face.
5. You can store the solution in your fridge for 6-7 days.

How Often?

1-2 times a day.

Why This Works

Mint is an excellent cleanser and astringent. Its salicylic acid content controls and prevents acne. It also loosens dead skin cells.

11. Mint Leaves Face Mask For Acne Scars

You Will Need

• 1 tbsp honey
• 15 crushed mint leaves
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Prep Time

2 minutes.

Treatment Time

15 minutes

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
2. Apply the mixture onto your acne scars.
3. Leave the mixture on for about 15 minutes.
4. Rinse your face with cool water.

How Often?

On alternate days.

Why This Works

Lemon and honey have mild bleaching properties that fade acne scars and blemishes. In combination with mint, they boost blood circulation and slough off dead skin cells, promoting healthy cell turnover and helping you achieve clear skin.

Infographic: Top 5 Benefits Of Mint For The Skin

All these remedies discussed above can help you achieve healthy skin without cutting a hole in your pocket. Be it the mint water or the mint face packs, mint can bring that much-desired glow to your face. While we have already discussed all the benefits of mint, you may also check out the infographic to learn the top 5 that may help you in the long run.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mint cause skin itching?

Yes. Mint contains menthol, which may irritate the skin and cause contact dermatitis causing itching and redness.

How do I use mint powder on my face?

You can apply a paste of mint and water to your face or mix it with homemade face packs.

Can mint remove dark spots?

It may help prevent acne spots. Mint contains salicylic acid, which helps reduce acne inflammation and prevent any chances of developing spots on the affected area.

Is drinking mint water good for the skin?

Yes. The herb may not directly affect the skin; however, drinking water definitely keeps your skin hydrated, plump, and youthful. The mint enhances the flavor and boosts your gut health.

Can we use mint on the face daily?

No. Excessive use of mint may irritate the skin. If you are using it with DIY face masks, it’s better to limit the usage to once or twice a week.

Illustration: Benefits Of Mint (Pudina) For Skin And 11 Ways To Use It

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover the science-backed health benefits of mint! Check this video to learn how this herb can help improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and even freshen your breath!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Hari Hara SudhanMD

Dr. Hari Hara Sudhan is a dermatologist in Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu. He has 14 years of experience in this field. He is a regular contributor to newspapers and has also authored a book. He is a member of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) and specializes in Dermabrasion, Scar Treatment, Dental Fillings, Anti Aging Treatment, and Sun Spots, Age Spots, And Other Pigmented Lesions.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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