Are there usage precautions?

각질 제거와 모공 개선 여드름 치료 효과 Salicylic Acid is lipophilic, allowing it to penetrate deep into oily pores. It works by breaking down the bonds (desmosomes) between dead skin cells, promoting their shedding in a process called keratolysis. This exfoliating action removes the build-up of keratin and sebum that clog pores, preventing blackheads, whiteheads, and acne lesions. It also reduces inflammation and redness due to its anti-inflammatory properties, soothing irritated skin. By controlling sebum production and clearing pores, Salicylic Acid improves skin clarity, texture, and helps fade acne scars and hyperpigmentation. It also aids in collagen production, contributing to anti-aging benefits.

All ingredients

Ingredient Dictionary

SALICYLIC ACID

Salicylic acid is a monohydroxybenzoic acid that is benzoic acid with a hydroxy group at the ortho position.

Clinical evidence

Blemishes B
Dark spots B-
Pores C
Oiliness D

Amount studies used: 0.5–2%
When: evening
Irritation: moderate — start every other day

Grades were set by reading this ingredient’s studies. They describe the ingredient, not every product that contains it.

SALICYLIC ACID Molecular structure — Molecular structure

How much products actually contain

63 products state the amountmedian 0.5%54% at or above the amount studies used (0.5–2%)

under 0.01% 7
0.01–0.1% 13
0.1–1% 35
1% or more 8

Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.

Of the products containing it, 571 list it before the 1% line and 497 after it (usually 1% or less).

Where no amount is stated, a product listing it early reaches the study amount about 59% of the time, one listing it late about 9%.

Clinical evidence grade by skin concern

B: one or two randomised trials
C: uncontrolled or multi-ingredient studies
D: lab work or a record only

Do not use it if you are allergic to aspirin.

3 references

Products using this ingredient

12 of 1,063 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 1,063

Definition

Salicylic acid is a monohydroxybenzoic acid that is benzoic acid with a hydroxy group at the ortho position. It is obtained from the bark of the white willow and wintergreen leaves. It has a role as an antiinfective agent, an antifungal agent, a plant hormone, a keratolytic drug, an EC 1.11.1.11 (L-ascorbate peroxidase) inhibitor, a plant metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a salicylate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII O414PZ4LPZ · registered name Salicylic Acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Salicylic Acid is the aromatic acid that conforms to the formula:

Cosmetic roles

Keeps skin in good condition (CosIng catch-all)SKIN CONDITIONINGSoftens and loosens the outer layerKERATOLYTICStops microbes growing in the productPRESERVATIVEListed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCESoftens hairHAIR CONDITIONINGActs on seborrheic flaking and dandruffANTI-SEBORRHEIC

Safety & regulatory references

Restricted: South Korea · United Kingdom
Allowed preservative: United Kingdom

Source: ASEAN Cosmetic Directive · EU Cosmetics Regulation · Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist · MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information · Taiwan FDA cosmetic ingredients · Taiwan FDA cosmetic regulations · UK cosmetics regulations (OPSS) · Japan Standards for Cosmetics

Argentina · Brazil

Field of application and/or use : (a) hair products that are rinsed (b) Other products
Maximum concentration permitted at final product : (a) 3% (b) 2%
Other limitations and requirements : Should not be used in products in products for children under 3 years old, except for shampoos.
Use conditions and warnings that must appear on the label : -For adult use products: "Do not use in children” - For products designed for children public: "Do not use in children under 3 years old".
Maximum concentration permitted at final product : 0.5% (expressed as acid)
Other limitations and requirements : Prohibited in products for children under 3 years of age, except for shampoos.
Use conditions and warnings that must appear on the label : Products for use Adults: "Do not use in children" For products aimed at children: "Do not use in children under three years of age (except shampoo)"

ASEAN

Field of application and/or use : (a) Rinse-off hair products (b) Other products except body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll-on deodorant (c) Body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll-on deodorant
Maximum authorised concentration in the finished cosmetic product : (a) 3.0 % (b) 2.0% (c) 0.5%
Other limitations and requirements : (a) (b) (c) Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age. Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user’s lungs by inhalation. Not to be used in oral products. For purposes other than inhibiting the development of micro-organisms in the product. This purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product. These levels are inclusive of any use of salicylic acid. As a preservative, see Annex VI, Part 1, No 3
Conditions of use and warning which must be printed on the labels : (a) (b) (c) Not to be used for children under three years of age
Solely for products which might be used for children
Maximum authorised concentration in the finished cosmetic product : Salicylic acid: 0,5 % (acid) Salicylic acid salts: 0,5 % (acid)
Other limitations and requirements : Salicylic acid: Not to be used in products for children under 3 years of age. Not to be used in oral products. Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user’s lungs by inhalation. Salicylic acid salts: Not to be used in products for children under 3 years of age, except for shampoos.
Conditions of use and warning which must be printed on the labels : Salicylic acid: Not to be used for children under 3 years of age Salicylic acid salts: Not to be used for children under 3 years of age

Canada

Maximum Concentration Permitted : 2%

Taiwan

Maximum concentration : 2%

Japan

Maximum amount per 100 g(Maximum amount of ingredient per 100 g) : 0.20(0.20 g)

China

Maximum concentration : (a) 2.0%
(b) 3.0%

European Union

Product Type, body parts : (a) Rinse-off hair products (b) Other products except body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll-on deodorant (c) Body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll-on deodorant
Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : (a) 3.0% (b) 2.0% (c) 0.5%
Other : (a) (b) (c) Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age. Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user’s lungs by inhalation. Not to be used in oral products. For purposes other than inhibiting the development of micro-organisms in the product. This purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product. These levels are inclusive of any use of salicylic acid.
Wording of conditions of use and warnings : (a) (b) (c) Not to be used for children under three years of age
Solely for products which might be used for children under 3 years of age.
Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : Salicylic acid: 0,5 % (acid) Salicylic acid salts: 0,5 % (acid)
Other : Salicylic acid: Not to be used in products for children under 3 years of age. Not to be used in oral products. Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user’s lungs by inhalation. Salicylic acid salts: Not to be used in products for children under 3 years of age, except for shampoos.
Wording of conditions of use and warnings : Salicylic acid: Not to be used for children under 3 years of age **Solely for products which might be used for children under 3 years of age. Salicylic acid salts: Not to be used for children under 3 years of age ***Solely for products which might be used for children under 3 years of age and which remain in prolonged contact with the skin.

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III (restricted substances), entry 98 · maximum concentration (a) 3.0% (b) 2.0% (c) 0.5% · applies to (a) Rinse-off hair products (b) Other products except body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll-on deodorant (c) Body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll-on deodorant

Source: EU restricted substances (Annex III)

Restriction III/98 V/3 · SCCS opinion: OPINION ON salicylic acid (CAS 69-72-7) Submission I

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Amended Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid and Salicylates as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicylate, Isocetyl Salicylate, Isodecyl Salicylate, Magnesium Salicylate, MEA-Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Potassium Salicylate, Methyl Salicylate, Myristyl Salicylate, Sodium Salicylate, TEA-Salicylate, and Tridecyl Salicylate

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name サリチル酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表される芳香族カルボン酸である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

SALICYLIC ACIDINCI살리실릭애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-Synonymサリチル酸Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 69-72-7
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 200-712-3
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID7026368
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID206368

IUPAC: 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid
Molecular formula: C7H6O3
Molecular weight: 138.122 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Salicylic acid is an odorless white to light tan solid. Sinks and mixes slowly with water. (USCG, 1999) · Wet Solid, Other Solid, Dry Powder, Liquid
Odour: SYNTHETIC ACID IS ODORLESS · odourless
Boiling point: 211 °C at 2.00E+01 mm Hg · 211 °C at 20 torr
Melting point: 315 °F (USCG, 1999) · 158 °C
Solubility: 2240 mg/L (at 25 °C) · Solubility (weight percent): carbon tetrachloride 0.262 (25 °C), benzene 0.775 (25 °C), propanol 27.36 (21 °C), absolute ethanol 34.87 (21 °C), acetone 396 (23 °C)
Density: 1.44 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.443 g/cu cm at 20 °C/4 °C
Stability: GRADUALLY DISCOLORS IN SUNLIGHT
pH: pH of saturated solution: 2.4 · 2.4
Dissociation constant: 2.78 · 2.88
Colour: colourless
Melting/freezing point: 159 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 211 ℃(at 20 torr)
Flash point: 157 ℃(c.c.)
Flammability (solid, gas): combustible
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: - / 1.1 % (at 200 ℃)
Vapour pressure: 0.000082 ㎜Hg (at 25 ℃)
Water solubility: 2240 ㎎/ℓ (at 25 ℃)
Vapour density: 4.8
Relative density: 1.443 (at 20 ℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 2.26
Auto-ignition temperature: 540 ℃
Molecular weight: 138.13

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 80 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Pharmaceutical (EPA)39
Preservative7
Softener and conditioner6
Processing aids not otherwise specified5
Flavouring and nutrient4
Anti-dandruff (EPA)3
Solvent3
Intermediate2

8 other uses

Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents)2
Fragrance2
Deodorizer2
Chemical reaction regulator1
Elasticizer1
Abrasive1
Monomers1
Hardener1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

6 skin studies and 3 eye studies are on record.

Classed as highly irritating1Classed as moderate1Classed as low3

The studies disagree (the most common conclusion covers 20%), so they do not establish that this ingredient is irritating. These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 9 studies

Category 6.3A (Category 2)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · equivalent or similar to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay)
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
High Frequency of Sensitization
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · equivalent or similar to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay)
Category 2
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 1
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Category 2A
Eye Irritation · Screening
Eye damage - category 1
Eye Irritation · Screening