A high-menthol daily shampoo from Menthology, a Korean brand built entirely around cooling formulations. It is aimed at scalps that feel hot, itchy or heavy — after training, in summer, or under a helmet — and at hair that goes limp from sebum within a day.

The cleansing base pairs sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate with coco-betaine. Olefin sulfonate is a sulfonate rather than a sulfate: it lathers strongly and cleanses decisively, but it is not sodium lauryl sulfate, which is how the brand describes the formula as sulfate-free. Coco-betaine tempers the primary surfactant and improves foam quality, and glycerin sits high in the list to offset the drying tendency of a strong lather. The cooling comes from menthol, which acts on the skin's TRPM8 cold receptors — the same channel that responds to a genuine drop in temperature. The sensation is neurological rather than an actual change in scalp temperature, which is why it registers so strongly. The brand also states the formula is free of silicone oil, so hair dries without a film.

This is a strong-cooling product, not a mild one. If mint shampoos have felt tame, this is the category Menthology exists for.

Key ingredients

• Menthol — the defining active; triggers the cold receptors in the scalp for an intense, sustained cooling sensation and immediate relief from heat and itch.
• Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate — the primary surfactant; a high-foaming sulfonate that clears sebum and build-up without being an SLS-type sulfate.
• Coco-betaine — amphoteric co-surfactant that softens the cleansing action and improves lather quality.
• Glycerin — humectant placed high in the formula to counter the dryness a strong lather can leave behind.

How to use

1. Wet the hair and scalp thoroughly.
2. Dispense into the palms and lather.
3. Massage into the scalp and allow the cooling to develop.
4. Rinse thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water, then condition the lengths.

Recommended frequency

• Oily scalp or daily training — daily.
• Normal scalp — three to five times per week.
• Dry or colour-treated hair — two to three times per week, alternating with a milder shampoo.
• Sensitive scalp — once or twice a week to start, with a short contact time.

The cooling and de-greasing effect is immediate and lingers after rinsing. A settled, less itchy scalp typically follows within two to three weeks of regular use.

Best suited to

For oily scalps, athletes, hot climates and anyone wanting a decisive daily clean with a strong cooling finish. Not the right choice for a very dry, tight or eczema-prone scalp, for anyone who dislikes menthol sensations, or for young children.

Specifications

• Format — rinse-off shampoo, pump bottle
• Volume — 495 ml
• Key actives — menthol; cleansing base of sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate and coco-betaine, with glycerin
• Texture — flowing liquid producing a rich, cushiony lather; intensely cooling
• Origin — made in Korea

Good to know

The cooling is deliberately strong and will feel sharp on broken skin, a freshly shaved head or a sunburnt scalp — wait until the skin has settled. Keep it away from the eyes. If you are new to high-menthol products, keep the first few washes short. The full ingredient list is not published by the retailers we could verify, so check the bottle if you have a specific ingredient allergy.