Ingredient dictionary

Methyl Salicylate

Also listed as: Oil of Wintergreen, Wintergreen oil

Methyl Salicylate is a fragrant ester, a compound that smells of wintergreen and gives products a fresh, minty scent. Its main job is scent. It is on the label of 3 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

What Methyl Salicylate does

Gives a fresh, minty scent
Blends with other fragrance notes
Rounds out a product's overall smell

Methyl Salicylate is an ester, a small molecule made by joining salicylic acid with methanol. It also occurs naturally in wintergreen plants, which is where its nickname comes from. Much of the supply used in cosmetics is made synthetically, so the scent is more predictable from batch to batch.

Formulators use it mainly for its bright, sweet, minty smell. A little goes a long way, so it is added in small amounts. It mixes well with oils and alcohols and is often used alongside other fragrance notes. In sunscreens, it is usually there to add scent, not to filter UV light.

Good for

Suits people who enjoy a fresh, minty scent and are fine with fragranced skincare.

Frequently asked questions

Is Methyl Salicylate the same as salicylic acid?

They are related. Methyl Salicylate is an ester made from salicylic acid, but it does not work as an exfoliant the way salicylic acid does. In most products it is there for scent, not for skin-resurfacing.

Is Methyl Salicylate safe in skincare?

In the small amounts used in cosmetics, it is generally considered well tolerated. Pure oil of wintergreen is strong, though, and should never be swallowed or used undiluted on skin. Keep it away from children.