Benefits of our Peppermint Mocha Body Scrub

by Miranda Pinyon

We here at LIV firmly believe in evidence based claims. We won't make any statements about our products unless they've been scientifically proven. Thus, we've put together the peer-reviewed, scientific research investigating the main ingredients in our peppermint mocha body scrub. Some of this might get a little technical, but we believe everyone should be informed about what they're putting on their body, so we did the legwork for you.

Caffeine 

Research has shown that application of caffeine to the skin helps reduce cellulite. One study showed caffeine reduced cellulite appearance by 20%1! This effect is driven by caffeine's ability to penetrate the skin2,3 and then interact with cAMP to induce a signal cascade that ends in hydrolysis of triglycerides in adipocytes. In more simple terms, caffeine speeds up biochemical interactions to break down fatty tissue1!

More clinically, topical application of caffeine has also been shown to promote death of sunburn cells, inhibiting carcinogenesis (formation of cancer)4. Caffeine on the skin also has a sunscreen effect (slightly...don't stop using sunscreen), and can help reduce the formation of skin cancer caused by sun exposure, specifically by interacting with UVB rays to induce cell death rather than burns and cancer formation 5.

 

Coconut Oil

Less research has been done in regards to the use of coconut oil on the skin. However, it has been shown to be an incredibly effective moisturizer and an effective treatment for conditions involving very dry and rough skin6.

Clinically, coconut oil on the skin is an effective anti-bacterial agent6. Further, it has been successfully used to speed up wound healing by inducing an increase in collagen cross-linking7.

 


Himalayan sea salt

Our main use for Himalayan sea salt is as an exfoliator. The salt crystals of Himalayan sea salt are small cubes underneath the microscope. The edges of those cubes work as a great abrasive agent to scrub off dead skin cells. Sea salt also has a moisturizing property as once known as a humectant, meaning it aids in helping the skin retain its own moisture and not lose it to the environment8.

 


Peppermint Oil

The main role of peppermint oil in our product is to just give it a great, natural fragrance. However, peppermint oil also has a ton of scientifically proven benefits. Application of peppermint oil to the skin has been proven to be an effective treatment for chronic itchiness, so may relieve some itchiness from bug bites or sunburns9. Peppermint oil has also been shown to increase the “freshness” feeling of creams and provide a refreshing “fresh” feeling to the skin (yes, this was a scientific study rating “freshness”)10.

Many people have also touted the benefits of peppermint oil as an aromatherapy agent. We here at LIV had our doubts about the true efficacy of this type of thing. However, there is a bunch of research proving it actually works! One major use is in the treatment of headaches. Peppermint oil application, presumably exerting it’s effects through olfaction, has been shown to significantly reduce headache pain11–13. Peppermint oil didn’t just reduce the pain, it was as effective as 1000mg of acetaminophen12! That’s the dosage of 2 extra strength Tylenol! Peppermint oil has also been shown to increase cognitive performance, and have a relaxing effect on the mind and muscles11. Inhalation of peppermint oil has also been shown to curb feelings of nausea in post-operative patients14. Lastly, in case we haven’t sold you on the effects of peppermint oil yet, the inhalation of its scent has been shown to decrease appetite, decrease hunger cravings, and [lead to consumption] of fewer calories which may lead to weight reduction and greater overall health15.”

I know this makes it sound like peppermint oil is some miracle substance, but we’re really not making this up. This is all scientifically proven, peer-reviewed research! Now, will the amount of peppermint oil in our product really give you all these effects? Probably not. But, will it help relax you, maybe slightly soothe a headache and leave you feeling fresh? We think it absolutely will!

 

References:

  1. Byun, S.-Y. et al. Efficacy of Slimming Cream Containing 3.5% Water-Soluble Caffeine and Xanthenes for the Treatment of Cellulite: Clinical Study and Literature Review. Ann. Dermatol. 27, 243–9 (2015).
  2. Kim, C., Shim, J., Han, S. & Chang, I. The skin-permeation-enhancing effect of phosphatidylcholine: caffeine as a model active ingredient. J. Cosmet. Sci. 53, 363–74 (2002).
  3. Trauer, S. et al. Permeation of topically applied caffeine through human skin - a comparison of in vivo and in vitro data. Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 68, 181–186 (2009).
  4. Lu, Y.-P. et al. Topical applications of caffeine or (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibit carcinogenesis and selectively increase apoptosis in UVB-induced skin tumors in mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 99, 12455–12460 (2002).
  5. Lu, Y.-P. et al. Caffeine and caffeine sodium benzoate have a sunscreen effect, enhance UVB-induced apoptosis, and inhibit UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice. Carcinogenesis 28, 199–206 (2007).
  6. Agero, A. L. C. & Verallo-Rowell, V. M. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermat. contact, atopic, Occup. drug 15, 109–16 (2004).
  7. Nevin, K. G. & Rajamohan, T. Effect of Topical Application of Virgin Coconut Oil on Skin Components and Antioxidant Status during Dermal Wound Healing in Young Rats. Skin Pharmacol. Physiol. 23, 290–297 (2010).
  8. Polaskova, J., Pavlackova, J. & Egner, P. Effect of vehicle on the performance of active moisturizing substances. Ski. Res. Technol. 21, 403–412 (2015).
  9. Elsaie, L., El Mohsen, A., Ibrahim, I., Mohey-Eddin, M. & Elsaie, M. Effectiveness of topical peppermint oil on symptomatic treatment of chronic pruritus. Clin. Cosmet. Investig. Dermatol. Volume 9, 333–338 (2016).
  10. Damonte, S. P., Selem, C., Parente, M. E., Ares, G. & Manzoni, A. V. Freshness evaluation of refreshing creams: influence of two types of peppermint oil and emulsion formulation. J. Cosmet. Sci. 62, 525–33 (2011).
  11. Göbel, H., Schmidt, G. & Soyka, D. Effect of Peppermint and Eucalyptus Oil Preparations on Neurophysiological and Experimental Algesimetric Headache Parameters. Cephalalgia 14, 228–234 (1994).
  12. Göbel, H., Fresenius, J., Heinze, A., Dworschak, M. & Soyka, D. [Effectiveness of Oleum menthae piperitae and paracetamol in therapy of headache of the tension type]. Nervenarzt 67, 672–81 (1996).
  13. Kligler, B. Peppermint Oil. Am. Fam. Physician 75, 1027–30 (2007).
  14. Briggs, P., Hawrylack, H. & Mooney, R. Inhaled peppermint oil for postop nausea in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Nursing (Lond). 46, 61–67 (2016).
  15. Reed, J. A., Almeida, J., Wershing, B. & Raudenbush, B. Effects of peppermint scent on appetite control and caloric intake. Appetite 51, 393 (2008).
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