Loved

Salicylic Acid

Explained

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.

Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.

In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

See all 4,901 products with Salicylic Acid

Users who like it
94%
Users who avoid it
6%

What it does

Masking Obscuring or blocking
Preservative Tending to preserve or capable of preserving.
Skin Conditioning To hydrate and soften skin

Prevalence

Somewhat common Percentage of products that contain it
5.7%
Top categories
Cleansers
Treatments
Moisturizers
Position Predominant list placement
Top 50%
Concentration Concentrations we've seen
0% to 40%

References

CosIng Data

CosIng ID 37595
INCI Name SALICYLIC ACID
INN Name salicylic acid
EC #  200-712-3
Ph. Eur. Name acidum salicylicum
All Functions Antidandruff, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning