Isocetyl Salicylate
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Isohexadecyl salicylate, Dermol ICSA, Salicylic acid, Isocetyl ester, Isocetyl salicylate [INCI], Benzoic acid, Isohexadecyl ester, 138208-68-1
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Chemical Exfoliant
Not Clean
Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, isohexadecyl ester
Formula
C23H38O3
Mol. Weight
362.50
CAS #
138208-68-1
Form
Liquid
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Synthetic compound combining salicylic acid with isocetyl alcohol, created in the cosmetics industry for exfoliating and skin-conditioning properties in modern skincare formulations.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
3.0%
0%4%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 3.0%. (a) 3.0% (b) 2.0%. Not to be used for children under three years of age (11) Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 98.
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR