# Salicylic acid and its salts

URL: https://app.greenveil.ai/ingredients/ingredient_source_ref_substance_id_28121
Categories: beauty
Functions: Preservative
Identifier: SALICYLIC ACID, CALCIUM SALICYLATE, MAGNESIUM SALICYLATE, MEA- SALICYLATE, SODIUM SALICYLATE, POTASSIUM SALICYLATE, TEA- SALICYLATE

> Salicylic acid and its salts: Used in cosmetics as a preservative. Greenveil chemical-concern score: 20/100 — Minor concern based on regulatory listings.. Compiled from 2 published data sources.

## Safety assessment

- Chemical concern score: 20/100 — Minor concern based on regulatory listings.
- Confidence in this assessment: High
- Is it a concern? Minor concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.
- Rationale: Salicylic acid and its salts is listed in Annex V of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 (preservatives allowed in cosmetic products).

## Regulatory status

- EU: Active — Cosmetics Regulation annex V / ref 3.
- EU: allowed_listed — Annex V of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: preservatives allowed in cosmetic products. Maximum concentration: Salicylic acid: 0,5 % (acid) Salicylic acid salts: 0,5 % (acid) Other conditions: Salicylic acid: Not to be used in products for children under 3 years of age. Not to be used in oral products. Not to be used in applications that may lead to exposure of the end-user’s lungs by inhalation. Salicylic acid salts: Not to be used in products for children under 3 years of age, except for shampoos. Conditions of use and warnings: Salicylic acid: Not to be used for children under 3 years of age** **Solely for products which might be used for children under 3 years of age. Salicylic acid salts: Not to be used for children under 3 years of age*** ***Solely for products which might be used for children under 3 years of age and which remain in prolonged contact with the skin.

## Expert safety opinions

- SCCS (EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety): no opinion on file.
- CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)): no opinion on file.

## Data sources

- CosIng (updated 2026-09-23): https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/28121
- EU CosIng Cosmetics Regulation Annexes (updated 2020-07-27): https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/reference/annexes/list/V

_Assessed by Greenveil._