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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES Learn more About EWG VERIFIED®

Data: Fair

Salicylic Acid

  • Products with this ingredient are allowed for use in EWG VERIFIED but must meet use restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data.
  • This ingredient's score is higher if used in product forms that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns. The score is lower if used in product forms that have lower risk of inhalation (e.g., solids, liquids)
  • This ingredient's score is higher if used in products that may not meet industry safety guidelines or U.S. and international government requirements. The score will be lower if used in products that meet these safety guidelines and requirements.

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

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Other Concerns

Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions (high), Endocrine disruption (moderate), Multiple, additive exposure sources (low_moderate), and Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low_moderate)

SYNONYMS

● SALICYLIC ACID, MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF PH. EUR., BP, USP, 99.5-100.5% (CALC. TO THE DRIED SUBSTANCE)
● 3253-EP2316827A1
● 3253-EP2380874A2
● C00805
● 3253-EP2372017A1
● 3253-EP2316459A1
● 3253-EP2316826A1
● 3253-EP2316825A1
● 3253-EP2316828A1
● D00097

Restricted

Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation

Salicylic acid is a naturally occuring and synthetically produced beta hydroxy acid used in skin treatment products.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • LOW
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
foot moisturizer33 products
facial cleanser357 products
body wash/cleanser79 products
exfoliant/scrub194 products
facial moisturizer/treatment241 products
skin fading/lightener3 products
toners/astringents102 products
after shave23 products
lip balm10 products
BB cream16 products
concealer41 products
moisturizer50 products
conditioner87 products
shampoo414 products
shaving cream7 products
serums & essences141 products
oil controller8 products
foundation114 products
hand cream7 products
shaving cream (men's)1 products
bar soap26 products
hair treatment/serum68 products
styling gel/lotion8 products
mask190 products
hair styling aid14 products
body firming lotion12 products
anti-aging16 products
hair color and bleaching55 products
around-eye cream15 products
facial powder15 products
Blotting Paper1 products
hair spray5 products
makeup remover14 products
beard care4 products
Moisturizing Socks1 products
Face Wipes1 products
Exfoliants9 products
body powder15 products
lip balm with SPF2 products
damaged skin treatment8 products
depilatory2 products
daily use with SPF13 products
liquid hand soap13 products
antiperspirant/deodorant27 products
setting powder/spray1 products
makeup primer16 products
bath oil/salts/soak2 products
foot odor control13 products
foot cleansing13 products
bronzer/highlighter9 products
after sun product4 products
body spray7 products
eye makeup remover1 products
brow liner2 products
beard oil2 products
Oils & Serums8 products
beard cleanser1 products
sunless tanning4 products
pore strips5 products
cuticle treatment1 products
hair relaxer1 products
personal cleansing1 products
detangler1 products
Preshave Preparations1 products
acne treatment9 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)1 products
fragrance for women2 products
CC cream8 products
lip gloss1 products
baby wipes1 products
bubble bath1 products
recreational sunscreen7 products
Bath and Body Wipes2 products
body oil2 products
Facial Cleansing Water2 products
chemical peel1 products
baby shampoo2 products
nail polish1 products
hair-loss treatment3 products
styling mousse/foam1 products

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Limited evidence of skin irritationOpinion concerning salicylic acid adopted by the SCCNFP during the 20th plenary meeting of 4 June 2002(2002-06-04)
skin/eye/lung irritation - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
One or more animal studies show ocular irritation at low dosesPeer Reviewed Literature

Cancer

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not likely to be carcinogenic in humansTechnical Report on the Photocarcinogenesis of Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid (CAS NOS 79-14-1 and 69-72-7) in SKH-1 Mice(2007-01-01)
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogenPeer Reviewed Literature
Mutagen - limited evidenceEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Endocrine disruption

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Possible human disruptorDanish centre on endocrine disruptors: List of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals(2018-09-01)

Multiple, additive exposure sources

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodUS Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information availableUS Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Use restrictions

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmeticsHealth Canada
Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - anyEU Cosmetics Directive
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)Japan Ministry of Health
Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Canada Cosmetics Hot List(2014-04-11)
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Allowable pH limitsCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Safe for brief discontinuous use followed by thorough rinsingCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualificationsCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe when formulated to avoid increasing sun sensitivity or when directions for use include daily use of sun protectionCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Distinction between safe concentration when applied by professional vs consumer, according to industry safety panelCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - EU Cosmetics Directive

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
immune system or allergies - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Enhanced skin absorption

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Penetration enhancerUPDATED POSITION PAPER CONCERNING CONSUMER SAFETY OF ALPHA-HYDROXY ACIDS(2004-05-25)

Data gaps

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported 'as used' concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Informational

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - Allowable pH limitsCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - Safe for brief discontinuous use followed by thorough rinsingCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - Distinction between safe concentration when applied by professional vs consumer, according to industry safety panelCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Opinion concerning salicylic acid adopted by the SCCNFP during the 20th plenary meeting of 4 June 2002(2002-06-04)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Peer Reviewed Literature
  • Technical Report on the Photocarcinogenesis of Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid (CAS NOS 79-14-1 and 69-72-7) in SKH-1 Mice(2007-01-01)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Danish centre on endocrine disruptors: List of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals(2018-09-01)
  • US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Health Canada
  • EU Cosmetics Directive
  • Japan Ministry of Health
  • Canada Cosmetics Hot List(2014-04-11)
  • UPDATED POSITION PAPER CONCERNING CONSUMER SAFETY OF ALPHA-HYDROXY ACIDS(2004-05-25)

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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