INCI Name
Salicylic Acid
Botanical Name
None
Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) known for its keratolytic and pore-clearing properties. Widely used in acne, exfoliating, and anti-aging skincare, it helps regulate oil, reduce breakouts, and improve skin texture.
Exfoliant, keratolytic, antimicrobial, preservative adjunct, acne treatment
Product Type(s):
Typical Usage Range:
0.5–2% in OTC acne products (FDA-approved range); up to 3% in rinse-off; higher concentrations (5–10%) only under professional supervision
Helps clear pores, reduce acne, regulate oil, exfoliate dead skin cells, soothe inflammation; historically derived from willow bark and used as a natural remedy for fever and pain
Primary Components:
Salicylic acid (C₇H₆O₃), β-hydroxy acid
Avoid in individuals with aspirin allergy; not recommended for children under 3; can cause irritation and dryness; avoid high concentrations in pregnancy unless prescribed
Preferred Extraction Method:
Synthetic production or extraction from willow bark (salicin hydrolysis)
Choose cosmetic-grade (USP/EP); available as synthetic or natural-derived; standardized purity required for safe formulation
Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:
*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.
Salicylic Acid
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