SALICYLIC ACID
Salicylic acid
SALICYLIC ACID is linked to 2 EU annex records on this page. Inventory note: III/98 V/3.
Regulatory evidence by market
This matrix separates verified ingredient rules from sources that are mapped but not yet imported. No imported rule does not mean the ingredient is permitted.
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| Market | Evidence status | Records | Source language |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | Evidence linked Restricted entry found Open this evidence | 2 | English and EU languages |
| Great Britain | Evidence linked Restricted + Permitted list with conditions Open this evidence | 2 | English |
| Canada | Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence | 1 | English and French |
| New Zealand | Evidence linked Restricted + Permitted list with conditions Open this evidence | 2 | English |
| ASEAN | Evidence linked Restricted + Permitted list with conditions Open this evidence | 2 | English and national languages |
| China | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | Chinese with selected English material |
| Japan | Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence | 1 | Japanese; official English translation available |
| South Korea | Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence | 2 | Korean with some English names |
| United States | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | English |
| Australia | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | English |
| Brazil | Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported | 0 | Portuguese with INCI crosswalks |
| India | Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence | 1 | English and Hindi |
| Saudi Arabia | Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence | 1 | Arabic and English |
Chemical identity and properties
Salicylic Acid
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. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- 2-hydroxybenzoic acid
- Molecular formula
- C7H6O3
- Molecular weight
- 138.12 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 138.031694049 Da
- XLogP3
- 2.3
- Topological polar surface area
- 57.5 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 2
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 3
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Inventory details for SALICYLIC ACID
INCI name
SALICYLIC ACID
INN name
salicylic acid
Ph. Eur. name
acidum salicylicum
Description
Salicylic acid
Record provenance
- Inventory reference
- 37595
- Imported identity
- SALICYLIC ACID
- Source update
- 11/08/2020
Annex records for SALICYLIC ACID
SALICYLIC ACID, CALCIUM SALICYLATE, MAGNESIUM SALICYLATE, MEA- SALICYLATE, SODIUM SALICYLATE, POTAS…
Key data
- ANTI-SEBORRHEIC
- Preventing or relieving the symptoms of seborrhea and/or seborrheic dermatitis, including dandruff.
- FRAGRANCE
- Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.
- HAIR CONDITIONING
- Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.
- KERATOLYTIC
- Helping to eliminate the dead cells of the stratum corneum.
- PRESERVATIVE
- Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
- SKIN CONDITIONING
- Maintaining the skin in good condition.
Official EU ingredient-name evidence
The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.
Related inventory evidence
Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions
Additional official and scientific sources
11 external databases to check this identity in
Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight
How SALICYLIC ACID appears in the CosIng inventory
The CosIng inventory lists SALICYLIC ACID as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 2 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.
SALICYLIC ACID is also tagged with 6 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for SALICYLIC ACID
This page combines the CosIng inventory entry for SALICYLIC ACID with 2 linked Annex II–VI records from the local dataset built from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials.
Use this inventory page to research SALICYLIC ACID and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.
Tools & next steps
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