Salicylic acid
CAS 69-72-7
EC 200-712-3
Formula C7H6O3
MW 138.12 g/mol
Organic Acids Personal Care & CosmeticsPharmaceuticals & HealthcareFood & Nutrition UV Protection & StabilizationPreservation & BiocideAntioxidant & Stabilizer
Description
Salicylic acid (CAS 69-72-7, EC 200-712-3, formula C7H6O3) is a monohydroxybenzoic acid also known as 2-carboxyphenol, o-carboxyphenol, and FEMA 3985. It belongs to the organic acids category and carries no assigned E-code for food applications in the EU.
In pharmaceutical and personal care formulations, salicylic acid functions as a keratolytic agent, disrupting the bonds between skin cells to promote exfoliation at concentrations typically between 0.5% and 2%. It also acts as a preservative and antioxidant in cosmetic systems, inhibiting microbial growth and oxidative degradation, and provides measurable UV-stabilizing activity in topical products.
Salicylic acid is available in pharmaceutical grade meeting Ph.Eur. and USP specifications, as well as technical and food-grade variants compliant with FCC standards. The substance is registered under REACH (HS code 29182100) and is supplied as a crystalline solid in bags, drums, or fiber containers depending on order volume.
In pharmaceutical and personal care formulations, salicylic acid functions as a keratolytic agent, disrupting the bonds between skin cells to promote exfoliation at concentrations typically between 0.5% and 2%. It also acts as a preservative and antioxidant in cosmetic systems, inhibiting microbial growth and oxidative degradation, and provides measurable UV-stabilizing activity in topical products.
Salicylic acid is available in pharmaceutical grade meeting Ph.Eur. and USP specifications, as well as technical and food-grade variants compliant with FCC standards. The substance is registered under REACH (HS code 29182100) and is supplied as a crystalline solid in bags, drums, or fiber containers depending on order volume.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | 157-159 °C |
| Boiling Point | ~211 °C (approx) @ Press: 20 Torr |
| Density | 1.443 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C |
| Flash Point | 157 °C |
| Appearance | Salicylic acid is a white to tan crystalline solid; needles. |
| Color | White to off-white |
| Odor | at 100.00 %. faint phenolic nutty |
| Form | Solid |
| Water Solubility | 1.8 g/L (20 ºC) |
| Vapor Pressure | 1 mm Hg ( 114 °C) |
| Refractive Index | 1,565 |
| pH | 2.4 (H2O)(saturated solution) |
| Log P | 2.01 |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Danger GHS05 GHS07 GHS08
H
H302H312H318H319
P
P203P264P270P280P317P318P321P330P405P501P264+P265P301+P317P302+P352P337+P317P362+P364P305+P351+P338P305+P354+P338
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29182100 |
| UN Number | 1648 |
| ADR Class | 3 |
| Packing Group | II |
| WGK (Germany) | 1 |
Other Names
o-carboxyphenol2-carboxyphenol2-hydroxybenzoic acidSalonilRutranexRETARDER W
Related Products
Raw Materials
Derivatives
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