murphySalicylic Acid
AKA: 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid, 69-72-7, O-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-Carboxyphenol, O-Carboxyphenol, Retarder W, Rutranex, Salonil, Keralyt
Synthetic
Rx Active
Preservative
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Chemical Exfoliant
Acid
Not Clean
OriginSalicylic acid belongs to the beta hydroxy acid (BHA) chemical family, synthesized from petroleum-derived precursors or plant sources. Produced through the acetylation of salicin or direct synthesis via esterification of salicylic acid precursors.
Salicylic acid is a monohydroxybenzoic acid that is benzoic acid with a hydroxy group at the ortho position. It is obtained from the bark of the white willow and wintergreen leaves. It has a role as an antiinfective agent, an antifungal agent, a plant hormone, a keratolytic drug, an EC 1.11.1.11 (L-ascorbate peroxidase) inhibitor, a plant metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a salicylate.
Solubility 2240
Formula
C7H6O3
Mol. Weight
138.12
CAS #
69-72-7
Form
Liquid
State
Salicylic acid is an odorless white to light tan solid. Sinks and mixes slowly with water. (USCG, 1999)
Pairs Well With
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Functions
Anti-Seborrheic
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Keratolytic
A pharmaceutical-grade active. These are the heavy hitters — often prescription-strength or regulated for potency.
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Unclogs pores
Supports cell turnover
Controls excess oil
Fights acne
Causing bacteria
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
7
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
—
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Animal test and Product formulation test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 302 and 766)
Comedogenic in Testing
Product formulation test found comedogenicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 766)
Eye Irritant in Testing
2 studies / 2 irritating / reactions mild to severe (CIR 766)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
25 studies / 12 irritating / 4 mixed / 9 not irritating / reactions minimal to moderate (CIR 302 and 766)
Mixed Sensitization Results
11 studies / 1 sensitizing / 2 mixed / 8 not sensitizing / plus 4 case reports (CIR 302 and 766)
Dermal Absorption 0.417–78%
15 results from animal / human / in vitro tests in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 302 and 766)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.00001–2%
Rinse-off0.01–30%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 2%
CIR reported use · 2018 survey
FDA OTC limit (Acne): 2%. 21 CFR 333.310 | EU/SCCS limit: 0.5% in cosmetic products. Opinion: SCCS/1646/22
Use Caution With
Regulatory Agencies
🧂Conflict of interest.
Verified Jun 2026 · 🧪 = conflict
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR