Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid, or 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, is found in the form of its ester in essential oils and as a plant hormone in the leaves, flowers, and roots of various plants. It has a great importance in the defence againstpathogenic substances.
This acid got its name because it used to be obtained mainly through the oxidative processing of salicin, which was found in the bark of various willows.
It is also called spiric acid. It got this name because it can also be extracted from the sap of the spirea. The salts of salicylic acid are called salicylates.
Salicylic acid belongs to the aromatic compounds because of the benzene ring it contains. However, since it also contains both a carboxy and a hydroxy group, it belongs to the hydroxycarboxylic acids. Because of its beta-stability, it is also called ß-hydroxycarboxylic acid.
The hydroxy group is directly attached to the benzene ring, so that salicylic acid also belongs to the phenols.
Salicylic acid is used in the production of dyes and perfumes, which are used as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and blood thinning drugs.
Salicylic acid in cosmetics
In a concentration of up to 2%, salicylic acid is a common ingredient in cosmetics. From a 5% solution, it shows a keratolytic and thus also comedolytic effect that is sufficient for acne therapy.
From a 10% solution, it is mainly used for the treatment of corns and warts.
Due to irritating effects, salicylic acid should not get into the eyes or mucous membranes and use should be avoided in cases of hypersensitive skin.
BHA products have become standard products for cosmetic brands and should not be missing from any facial line.
What other BHA acids are there?
The most commonly used BHA acid is salicylic acid. However, there are other BHA acids such as β-hydroxybutyric acid and mevalonic acid. Salicylic acid is often used in higher concentrations and is a stronger exfoliating agent than the other BHA acids. The other BHA acids are of no importance in cosmetics.
Fact Sheet:
CAS No.: 69 – 72 – 7
Other names: 2 – hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid, spiric acid, sporoylic acid
Molecular formula: C7H6O3
Boiling point: 211°C
Properties: colourless and odourless, scratchy, sweet-sour tasting crystals.
Salicylic acid – the classic for impure skin
Salicylic acid is widely used in cosmetics. The different concentrations all have different applications for the skin. For impure skin or skin prone to acne, salicylic acid is very effective.
We like to work with these salicylic acid qualities or salicylates:
| Name | Supplier | INCI Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salicylic acid | ACTYLIS | Salicylic Acid | |
| Salicylic Acid | McKinley Resources Incorporated | Salicylic Acid | |
| Salicylic Acid | Sandream Specialties | Salicylic Acid | |
| Salicylic Acid Natural | Gfn-Selco | Salicylic Acid | |
| Pharma Salicylic Acid | Seqens | Salicylic Acid | |
| Salicylic Acid USP | Salicylates and Chemicals | Salicylic Acid | |
| Salicylic Acid BP | Salicylates and Chemicals | Salicylic Acid | |
| Salicylic Acid Nat. | Evonik – Personal Care | Salicylic Acid | |
| CC Salicylic Acid 50% | Rahn AG | Salicylic Acid , Cyclodextrin | |
| CSA (Capryloyl Salicylic Acid) | Sandream Specialties | Capryloyl Salicylic Acid | |
| Salicylic Acid Technical Grade | Salicylates and Chemicals | Salicylic Acid | |
| RonaCare® Salicylic Acid Extra Pure | Merck KGaA | Salicylic Acid | |
| Brillian-CSA: Capryloyl Salicylic Acid | Beijing Brilliance Bio | Capryloyl Salicylic Acid | |
| Cosphagard® SA natural | Cosphatec GmbH | Salicylic Acid | |
| SpecMicro™ Aqua SLA (5%) | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Salicylic Acid , Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin , Propylene Glycol , Aqua | |
| iACTIVE SA WS | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Salicylic Acid , Polydextrose , Dextrin , Amylopectin , Niacinamide | |
| MICROSPONGE® N 733SA | AMCOL Health & Beauty Solutions (HBS) | Cellulose , Salicylic Acid | |
| SpecWhite® SLA | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Salicylic Acid | |
| Beta-Hydroxyde™ ACSD | BASF | Salicylic Acid , Acacia Senegal Gum | |
| SpecKare® BSA | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Betaine Salicylate | |
| MacDerma™ CSA | McKinley Resources Incorporated | Capryloyl Salicylic Acid | |
| SpecWhite® SLA(Natural) | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Salicylic Acid | |
| iActive CSA | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Capryloyl Salicylic Acid | |
| MC-Salicare | Macrocare Tech Co., Ltd. | Salicylic Acid , Niacinamide , Polydextrose , Dextrin , Amylopectin | |
| BIOEX ANTI-CASPA | AQiA Química Inovativa | Arctium Lappa Root Extract , Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract , Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract , Achillea Millefolium Extract , Ziziphus Joazeiro Bark Extract , Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract , Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract , Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract , Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex , Salicylic Acid | |
| BIOEX ANTICASPA AQ-GR | AQiA Química Inovativa | Ziziphus Joazeiro Bark Extract , Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract , Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract , Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract , Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract , Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex , Arctium Lappa Root Extract , Salicylic Acid , Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract , Achillea Millefolium Extract , Aqua , Sodium Benzoate , Potassium Sorbate | |
| TRIKENOL™ PLUS | Provital | Methylpropanediol , Terpineol , Salicylic Acid , Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract | |
| iPlant Antidandruff | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Arctium Lappa Root Extract , Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract , Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract , Achillea Millefolium Extract , Ziziphus Joazeiro Bark Extract , Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract , Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract , Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract , Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex , Salicylic Acid | |
| SpecKare® SPTSS | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine | |
| D.S.B. C® | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Silanediol Salicylate | |
| Zymo Clear MD V | Rahn AG | Maltodextrin , Protease , Lipase | |
| iSun OS | KimiKa, LLC (Formerly Cosphatech) | Ethylhexyl Salicylate | |
| Hallbrite® BHB | Hallstar | Butyloctyl Salicylate | |
| Gincol OS | GODREJ INDUSTRIES LIMITED | Ethylhexyl Salicylate | |
| Seacode™ marine ingredient | Lipotec S.A.U. | Aqua , Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract , Salicylic Acid , Citric Acid , Sodium Salicylate | |
| GINCOL TDS | GODREJ INDUSTRIES LIMITED | Tridecyl Salicylate | |
| Salisod | Salicylates and Chemicals | Sodium Salicylate | |
| AHA OG | Crodarom | Aqua , Lactic Acid , Glycolic Acid , Citric Acid , Malic Acid , Salicylic Acid | |
| Antarcticine® marine ingredient SA | Lipotec S.A.U. | Aqua , Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract , Salicylic Acid , Sodium Hydroxide | |
| BICOBIOME® | Bicosome SL | Aqua , Phosphatidylcholine , Niacinamide , Lactobacillus Ferment , Salicylic Acid | |
| AHA Concentrate B | Crodarom | Aqua , Citric Acid , Lactic Acid , Malic Acid , Gluconic Acid , Ascorbic Acid , Glycolic Acid , Salicylic Acid , Tartaric Acid | |
| SpecWhite® NSLA (Sodium Salicylate) | Spec-Chem Industry Inc | Sodium Salicylate | |
| PANTROFINA® REMEDY | Sharon Laboratories Ltd | Propylene Glycol , Undecylenic Acid , Arginine , Salicylic Acid , Aqua | |
| Sunsolv™ BOS | Innospec Performance Chemicals | Butyloctyl Salicylate | |
| Betaine Salicylate (BHA) | Hangzhou Rebtech Novel Material Co., Ltd. | Betaine Salicylate | |
| Verstatil® synacid | Evonik – Personal Care | Aqua , Glycerin , Sodium Levulinate , Sodium Salicylate , Sodium Anisate | |
| Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine | Hangzhou Rebtech Novel Material Co., Ltd. | Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine | |
| Phytosphingosine SLC | Evonik – Personal Care | Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine | |
| CAFELINE SS | AQiA Química Inovativa | Sodium Salicylate , Caffeine |
What effect does a BHA serum have?
A BHA serum contains an active ingredient called salicylic acid, which rids the skin of dead skin cells and shrinks pores. It can help reduce acne and pigmentation spots and make the skin look smoother and more even. Such a serum can also increase the skin’s moisture and promote circulation. It is especially good for people with oily and acne-prone skin.
Literature
Dall’Oglio F, Fabbrocini G, Tedeschi A, Donnarumma M, Chiodini P, Micali G.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019 Dec 31;12:961-967.
Labib R, Bury D, Boisleve F, Eichenbaum G, Girard S, Naciff J, Leal M, Wong J.Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2018 Apr;94:245-251
Trivedi MK, Kroumpouzos G, Murase JE.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2017 Feb 27;3(1):6-10