Salicylic Acid is a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient and aromatic hydroxy acid widely used in personal care and cosmetic formulation development. Chemically known as 2-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, Salicylic Acid has the molecular formula C₇H₆O₃, molecular weight 138.12 g/mol, and CAS Number 69-72-7.
In cosmetics, Salicylic Acid is recognized for several functions, including keratolytic, anti-seborrheic, skin conditioning, hair conditioning and preservative functions. COSMILE Europe identifies Salicylic Acid as an ingredient used in applications including cosmetic peelings and anti-dandruff shampoos.
For manufacturers searching for Salicylic Acid Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India, Salicylic Acid Cosmetic Grade, Salicylic Acid Personal Care Ingredient, or Salicylic Acid Bulk Ingredient, product quality, analytical specifications, formulation suitability and target-market regulations are important considerations.
Salicylic Acid is an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid consisting of a benzene ring containing hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups. It is also referred to as 2-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, o-Hydroxybenzoic Acid and o-Carboxyphenol.
The ingredient is typically supplied as a white or almost-white crystalline powder or white/colorless acicular crystals. Published pharmaceutical-grade specifications describe it as slightly soluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol and sparingly soluble in methylene chloride.
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Salicylic Acid |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Name | Salicylic Acid |
| CAS Number | 69-72-7 |
| Alternate CAS / CAS 2 | N/A |
| EC Number | 200-712-3 |
| Molecular Formula | C₇H₆O₃ |
| Molecular Weight | 138.12 g/mol |
| Chemical Name | 2-Hydroxybenzoic Acid |
| Synonyms | o-Hydroxybenzoic Acid; 2-Carboxyphenol; o-Carboxyphenol |
| Chemical Class | Aromatic Hydroxycarboxylic Acid |
| Physical Form | White or almost-white crystalline powder |
| Cosmetic Functions | Keratolytic; Skin Conditioning; Hair Conditioning; Anti-seborrheic; Preservative |
Salicylic Acid cosmetic ingredient is particularly relevant to formulation development where controlled exfoliation, keratolytic functionality, skin conditioning or scalp-care applications are desired.
COSMILE Europe describes the ingredient's keratolytic function as helping remove layers of dead skin cells from the skin surface. It also lists anti-seborrheic, skin-conditioning and hair-conditioning functions.
This makes Salicylic Acid relevant to several personal-care categories, including products formulated for skin and scalp care.
Salicylic Acid may be considered for suitable cosmetic and personal-care formulations such as:
The appropriate concentration and application depend on the finished product, formulation purpose and regulations applicable to the intended market.
One of the most recognized cosmetic functions of Salicylic Acid is its keratolytic activity.
In appropriate cosmetic formulations, it can help loosen and remove dead surface skin cells. This characteristic makes it relevant to exfoliating and skin-conditioning products.
Formulators may evaluate:
The finished formulation should be evaluated for stability, compatibility and consumer-use conditions before commercialization.
Salicylic Acid is also used in suitable hair and scalp-care formulations. COSMILE Europe identifies anti-seborrheic and hair-conditioning functions and specifically notes its occurrence in anti-dandruff shampoos.
For scalp-care formulations, developers should consider the intended product type, contact time, concentration, pH, rinse-off or leave-on status and applicable regulatory requirements.
Salicylic Acid is slightly soluble in water, while published pharmaceutical specifications describe it as freely soluble in ethanol (96%) and sparingly soluble in methylene chloride.
Because of its limited water solubility, formulation developers should carefully select the solvent, carrier or solubilization system when developing aqueous cosmetic products.
Solubility should be evaluated under actual manufacturing conditions because temperature, concentration, pH and the presence of other formulation ingredients can influence the final system.
Technical specification control is important when sourcing Salicylic Acid as a cosmetic ingredient.
Published BP/EP/USP-aligned specifications commonly report an assay of 99.0–100.5% on dried basis, with a melting range of 158–161°C and loss on drying of NMT 0.5%.
A representative USP-grade cosmetic raw-material COA also reports 99.0–100.5% assay on dry basis, LOD NMT 0.5%, and relevant chloride and sulfate specifications.
These values should be treated as reference specifications for the relevant grade and standard. The actual SDP-approved COA/specification should take precedence for the material being supplied.
Important quality parameters for Salicylic Acid can include:
Published Ph. Eur.-aligned specifications include 4-hydroxybenzoic acid NMT 0.10%, 4-hydroxyisophthalic acid NMT 0.02%, any other impurity NMT 0.05%, and total impurities NMT 0.2% for the cited product specification.
For businesses searching for a Salicylic Acid Manufacturer in India, consistent raw-material quality and appropriate technical documentation are important during supplier qualification.
Swapnroop Drugs & Pharmaceuticals provides technical ingredient information for manufacturers, formulators, R&D teams and bulk buyers evaluating cosmetic and personal-care raw materials.
Salicylic Acid can be evaluated for bulk ingredient requirements according to the required grade, specification, packaging and intended formulation.
Bulk procurement of Salicylic Acid cosmetic ingredient may require evaluation of:
This information supports professional raw-material qualification and formulation-development processes.
Salicylic Acid has specific cosmetic-use restrictions in the European Union.
Under the EU Cosmetics Regulation, Salicylic Acid is listed as a preservative with a maximum concentration of 0.5% expressed as acid under Annex V.
For non-preservative uses, the EU framework specifies up to 3.0% in rinse-off hair products and 2.0% in certain other products, with additional restrictions and exclusions.
The EU rules also specify restrictions involving products for children under 3 years, oral products and applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user's lungs by inhalation.
Therefore, the regulatory limit should not be confused with the raw-material assay. A raw material may have an assay around 99–100%, while the permitted concentration in a finished cosmetic product can be substantially lower.
Manufacturers should verify the current legislation applicable to their exact product, use and target market.
Salicylic Acid is positioned as a technical ingredient for suitable cosmetic and personal-care formulation requirements.
Important parameters such as assay, melting range, moisture, impurities and physical characteristics can be evaluated during raw-material qualification.
The ingredient can be evaluated for B2B and bulk procurement requirements according to the required grade and specification.
Chemical identity, CAS number, molecular properties and formulation information support R&D and purchasing teams.
Salicylic Acid can be evaluated for suitable skin-care, scalp-care, hair-care and exfoliating formulation applications.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |
| Assay (HPLC) | 99.0–100.5% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 0.5% |
| Heavy Metals | NMT 20 ppm |
| Water Content | NMT 0.5% |