A keratolytic acid used in exfoliating formulas and suitable acne medicines.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 52-Hydroxybenzoic acid, BHA
Ask your clinician
ACOG lists topical salicylic acid among OTC acne options during pregnancy. Confirm the actual product, strength, treated area and duration with your clinician; this is not an endorsement of peels or extensive application. Breastfeeding has not been separately assessed here.
Sources: 4Some supporting studies
Salicylic Acid
What it does
Helps loosen accumulated surface scale and is used for clogged-pore acne in appropriate products. Acne products, wart treatments and professional peels are not interchangeable.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Good for
- Clogged pores
- Acne-prone skin in suitable products
- Surface scale
How to use it
Follow the specific product label, introduce cautiously and avoid adding several irritating exfoliation steps at once. Do not use high-strength peels without appropriate professional supervision.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Who should be careful
Use extra care with salicylate sensitivity, children, broken skin, extensive application or occlusion. Discuss pregnancy use with a clinician; limited topical use and a large-area peel have different exposure.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Reduces cohesion within the outer skin layer; its oil-affinity and the product vehicle influence delivery. Effective acid exposure depends on concentration and pH.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Potential adverse effects
Dryness, stinging, redness and peeling can occur. Excessive exposure or unsuitable high-strength use can cause more serious harm.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Formulation considerations
Check free-acid availability, vehicle, pH and intended use. Do not extrapolate a low-strength cleanser to a high-strength peel or a product for a different body site.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Ask your clinician
ACOG lists topical salicylic acid among OTC acne options during pregnancy. Confirm the actual product, strength, treated area and duration with your clinician; this is not an endorsement of peels or extensive application. Breastfeeding has not been separately assessed here.
Sources: 4Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
- Finished-product concentration, free-acid exposure and age-specific suitability
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitSome supporting studies
The cited acne guideline includes salicylic acid with a conditional recommendation. This supports a defined clinical context, not a guarantee for every cosmetic product or an endorsement of unsupervised high-strength peels.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
Names on ingredient lists
salicylic acid
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 338 | PubChem compound 338: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C7H6O3 | PubChem compound 338: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 138.12 g/mol | PubChem compound 338: chemical identity |
| iupac name | 2-hydroxybenzoic acid | PubChem compound 338: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (6)
Scientific sources
- AAD: Guidelines of care for acne vulgarisclinical guideline · 2024
- SCCS: Salicylic acid safety opinionscientific opinion · 2023
- SCCS: Salicylic acid and children's exposurescientific opinion · 2025
- ACOG: Skin conditions during pregnancyclinical guidance
- FDA: Risks of unsupervised high-strength chemical peelssafety guidance
- PubChem compound 338: chemical identitychemical identity
Keep exploring: ingredient library or build your skincare routine.
