murphyPotassium Salicylate
AKA: Salicylic acid potassium salt, Benzoic acid, Monopotassium salt, POTASSIUM SALICYLATE [MI], Potassium salt (1:1), POTASSIUM SALICYLATE [VANDF]
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
OriginDerived from salicylic acid, a compound synthesized from phenol and carbon dioxide through chemical synthesis. Produced by neutralizing salicylic acid with potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate to form the potassium salt.
The Panel concluded that the following ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment, when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing, which may be based on a quantitative risk assessment (QRA)...Potassium Salicylate...
Formula
C7H5KO3
Mol. Weight
176.21
CAS #
578-36-9
Form
Powder
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Acne
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Antimicrobial
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Fights Bacteria
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
Restricted By
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.5%
CIR lists it as not reported to be in use.
CIR · report published 2025
EU regulatory limit: 0.5%. Not to be used for children under 3 years of age (2) Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 3.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR