2-METHYL-1-NAPHTHOL - Skin Care Ingredients Curated By Mia Seilern

⚠️ Data is provided for informational purposes only. It may contain inaccuracies and should be independently verified. This is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making health decisions.

Description: 2-METHYL-1-NAPHTHOL — HAIR DYEING.

All Functions: HAIR DYEING

Quick Facts:

Category: other
Regulatory Note: Restricted in the EU

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

2-methyl-1-naphthol is a chemical compound that can be converted into menadione (vitamin K3) through oxidation
This conversion happens efficiently at mild temperatures (60–80°C) without needing a catalyst
The research is chemistry-focused and does not establish skincare benefits

Safety: CautionResearch confidence: Fair

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🧪 2-METHYL-1-NAPHTHOL

2-METHYL-1-NAPHTHOL

CAS Number: 7469-77-4

Also Known As: —

Category: other

EC Number: 231-265-2

Korean Name: 2-메틸-1-나프톨

2-Methyl-1-naphthol

2-METHYL-1-NAPHTHOL is an other ingredient used in skincare formulations.

HAIR DYEING

🌍 Regulatory Status

EU: RestrictedUS: No restriction on file

EU conditions: To be printed on the label:
Hair colorants can cause severe allergic reactions.

📊 Comedogenicity

No data yet

Not rated for this ingredient yet.

📚 Research & Evidence

PUBMED CITATIONS

Data sources: EU CosIng PubMed

🔬 The Science

The available research on 2-methyl-1-naphthol (MNL) comes from a 2011 chemistry study in the Journal of Physical Chemistry B and addresses its oxidation mechanism rather than skincare applications. The research shows that MNL can be oxidized with oxygen to produce 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (also called menadione or vitamin K3) under mild conditions—specifically 60–80°C at 3 atmospheres of oxygen pressure—without requiring an external catalyst or light sensitizer (J Phys Chem B, 2011). The reaction achieves up to 80% selectivity in nonpolar solvents. The study focuses on the chemical mechanism of this transformation, using spectroscopic and computational methods to determine that thermal intersystem crossing (a quantum process allowing the molecule to change spin states) significantly contributes to the oxidation pathway.

No skincare efficacy, safety, or cosmetic application data are present in the provided sources. Any claims about 2-methyl-1-naphthol’s benefits for skin would require separate clinical or cosmetic research not included here.