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Capryloyl Salicylic Acid

Our database includes 430 products that contain Capryloyl Salicylic Acid.

Explained

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.

It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.

Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.

Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.

However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.

Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.

Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.

An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.

Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.

This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.

Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.

You should know

What it is

Exfoliant
Community Rating
Liked

What it does

Exfoliating To wash (a part of the body) with a granular cosmetic preparation in order to remove dead cells from the skin's surface
Skin Conditioning To hydrate and soften skin

Prevalence

Less common Percentage of products that contain it
0.6%
Top categories
Cleansers
Moisturizers
Treatments
Position Predominant list placement
Bottom 50%

References

CosIng Data

CosIng ID 32421
INCI Name CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID
All Functions Skin Conditioning