Potassium Salicylate
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Salicylic acid potassium salt, Benzoic acid, Monopotassium salt, POTASSIUM SALICYLATE [MI], Potassium salt (1:1), POTASSIUM SALICYLATE [VANDF]
Synthetic
Preservative
Chemical Exfoliant
Not Clean
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
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
Traditional Use
A salt form of salicylic acid developed in the 19th century. Salicylic acid derives from willow bark, used for centuries in traditional medicine; the potassium salt form was created for cosmetic stability and exfoliation.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.5%
0%1%
Reg. Limit
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
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Acne
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
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.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR