Spearmint oil, terpeneless (CAS 68917-46-4) — Green Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Green · Sweet

Spearmint oil, terpeneless

CAS 68917-46-4

Origin
natural
Note
Top to middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Spearmint oil, terpeneless?

Terpeneless spearmint oil is a concentrated version of spearmint essential oil with certain components removed. You’ll find it in chewing gums, toothpaste, and minty fragrances. This processing creates a smoother, more versatile mint character without the harshness of raw spearmint oil.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ GRAS status for food use
⚠ May cause mild skin sensitivity in high concentrations
CAS
68917-46-4
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Sweet
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Spearmint oil, terpeneless Smell Like?

A crisp, sweet mint explosion with the characteristic spearmint freshness but rounded edges. Opens with a cooling mentholated burst that quickly settles into a candy-like sweetness reminiscent of peppermint chewing gum. The terpene reduction gives it a cleaner, more diffusive character than regular spearmint oil, with less of the earthy, vegetative undertones. Dry-down reveals a soft herbal whisper that lingers close to the skin.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Green Irish Tweed(Creed, 1985)

Provides the fresh minty lift that balances the violet leaf in this classic fougère structure. The terpeneless version prevents harshness while maintaining the cooling effect.

Minthe(Diptyque, 2019)

Forms the core mint accord softened with rose and patchouli. The terpeneless character allows seamless blending with floral components.

Eau de Minthe(Diptyque, 2020)

Showcases the ingredient’s versatility as both a top note and heart note modifier in this modern mint chypre.

Layer 2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Terpeneless spearmint oil is produced by fractional distillation or solvent extraction of Mentha spicata oil to remove monoterpenes (mainly limonene and pinene). This concentrates the oxygenated compounds like carvone (50-70%) and dihydrocarvone (10-20%), which carry the characteristic spearmint aroma. The process increases solubility in alcohol bases while reducing volatility and resinous off-notes.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
SolubilitySoluble in alcohol, insoluble in water

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to middle
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Fresh top note in fougères
Oral Care0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Mint flavoring agent
Functional Fragrance0.05-0.2%Up to 0.5%Air fresheners and cleaning products

Classic Accords

Tip: Use in alcohol-based compositions to prevent crystallization that can occur with regular spearmint oil.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Mentha arvensis oil terpeneless CAS 68917-18-0

More mentholated character for stronger cooling effects in functional products.

2
Carvone (L-form) CAS 2244-16-8

Pure isolated key component when precise mint control is needed.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions. Considered safe at all typical usage levels.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment confirms safety for current use levels in fragrance applications.

Sustainability

Terpeneless processing reduces waste by utilizing the terpene fraction in other industries. Most commercial production comes from cultivated spearmint crops in the U.S. and Europe, with established agricultural practices. Synthetic carvone can serve as a renewable alternative when natural supplies are constrained.

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References

  1. Lawrence, B.M. (2007). Mint Oils: Composition and Characteristics. Essential Oils 2006-2008.
  2. PubChem Compound Summary for Spearmint Oil PubChem

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 68917-46-4
Data Sources & Attribution
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.

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