Salicylic acid powder

Description: Organic beta hydroxy acid (chemical name: 2-hydroxybenzoic acid), occurs naturally in various plants. Fine, white powder, odorless. USP grade. Solubility: see below. pH Value: 2.4. Melting Point: 159°C (318°F).

Solubility:
Water: about 0.2% at 20oC, about 1.7% at 75oC (by adding about 5% of sodium phosphate or another neutral salt, the solubility of salicylic acid in water is increased to about 1.8%)

Alcohol (ethanol): about 14% in pure ethanol, about 0.5% in 20% ethanol

Propylene glycol: about 3-6%

Glycerin: about 1.6%

INCI Name: Salicylic acid

Use: Typical use level 0.5-3%. Typically, it is added to the water phase of formulas but it is only slightly soluble in water. If used at concentrations higher than 2%, propylene glycol should be used as a solvent. Salicylic acid can be added also in powder form to a finished cream or lotion without dissolving it first in water or another solvent.

Applications: Peels and exfoliant products. Anti-acne products (max. 2%).

Anti-dandruff products (max 3%). Wart-removing products (max. concentration depends on the type of plaster vehicle used).

Country of Origin: France

Raw material source: Sodium phenoxide and carbon dioxide.

Manufacture: Salicylic acid is prepared from dry sodium phenoxide in a stream of carbon dioxide. It is further purified by crystallizing the sodium salicylate from water at a temperature not exceeding 20 deg C.

Precautions: Make sure that you measure the pH value after adding salicylic acid as it can lower the pH significantly. A pH lower than 3.5 should be avoided as skin irritations can occur.

To avoid excess peeling/irritation of the skin be careful when using salicylic acid together with abrasive soaps or cleansers, alcohol-containing products, or other topical acne or peeling products (e.g. benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, sulfur, tretinoin), soaps or cosmetics that dry the skin.