Catnip ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used mainly as a botanical fragrance and skin-conditioning extract, adding an herbal scent plus minor plant-derived antioxidant and soothing compounds.
What does Catnip do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used mainly as a botanical fragrance and skin-conditioning extract, adding an herbal scent plus minor plant-derived antioxidant and soothing compounds.
Is Catnip clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is usually acceptable, but the fragrant volatile fraction can be a sensitization issue for reactive skin. It is not a major restricted-list ingredient, though fragrance-allergen labeling and IFRA limits may matter when it is used for scent.
Is Catnip sustainable?
This material is plant-derived, renewable, and expected to be biodegradable. Its footprint depends on farming practices and extraction method, with steam distillation using more energy than simple water, glycerin, or ethanol extraction.
Is Catnip COSMOS-approved?
It is generally compatible with COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when made from compliant plant material using permitted solvents and processes. It fits Green Chemistry best as a minimally processed botanical extract from renewable feedstock, especially when paired with biodegradable solvent systems.
How does Catnip work chemically?
The molecule profile depends on format: volatile preparations are rich in iridoid monoterpenes such as nepetalactone isomers, while water or glycerin extracts carry more polar plant constituents. Typical use is low, often about 0.1 to 5% for botanical extracts and much lower for scent-focused materials, and the volatile fraction should be protected from heat, light, and oxygen.
Last updated 2026-05-14