Salicylic Acid

(in 5,752 products)

1. Drug / Medicine - Treats, alleviates, cures, or prevents sickness. As officially declared by a governmental drug/medicine regulatory body

2. Exfoliant - Removes dead cells at the surface of the skin

3. Flavor / Flavoring / Flavor Enhancer - Provides or enhances a particular taste or smell.

4. Preservative - Prevents and inhibits the growth of unwanted microorganisms which may be harmful

Salicylic acid treats acne by causing skin cells to slough off more readily, preventing pores from clogging up. This effect on skin cells also makes salicylic acid an active ingredient in several shampoos meant to treat dandruff. Use of straight salicylic solution may cause hyperpigmentation on unpretreated skin for those with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick phototypes IV, V, VI), as well as with the lack of use of a broad-spectrum sunblock. Subsalicylate in combination with bismuth forms the popular stomach relief aid known commonly as Pepto-Bismol. When combined the two key ingredients help control diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and even gas. It is also very mildly anti-biotic. Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid that occurs as a natural compound in plants. It has direct activity as an anti-inflammatory agent and acts as a topical antibacterial agent due to its ability to promote exfoliation. [1]

(EC) No 1223/2009

2007/17/EC

III/98

(a) Rinse-off hair products

(b) Other products except body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll on deodorant

(a) 3.0%

(b) 2.0%

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.

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.

0370/00 - Position paper on the Safety of alpha-Hydroxy Acids

0522/01 - Opinion concerning Salicylic Acid

0799/04 - Updated position paper concerning consumer Safety of alpha-hydroxy acids

Warning: Do not use in the presence of UV light (including sun exposure).

1. PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/338

1. South Korea - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety - Prohibited/Restricted Chemicals

- Ref: 1230

2. CANADA INGREDIENT HOTLIST, List of Ingredients that are Restricted for Use in Cosmetic Products [2019]

- Salicylic acid

3. EU CosIng Annex III, SUBSTANCES WITH RESTRICTIONS IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS [2018]

- Ref: III/98

4. Japan - Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare - Restricted Ingredients

- Salicylic acid

5. Argentina Ministerio de Salud - Restricciones

- Salicylic acid

6. FDA Unapproved

- 81 FR 61106

7. Hong Kong Consumer Council

- Salicylic Acid

8. EU CosIng Annex V, PRESERVATIVES ALLOWED IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS [2017]

- Ref: V/3

9. Association of Southeast Asian Nations Annex VI, Allowed Preservatives

- Salicylic acid and its salts