Need Training?

Build a solid foundation in science, formulation and product development—find out more!

Most Popular in:

Active

Excerpt Only

Email This Item! Print This Item!

Ingredient Profile—Salicylic Acid

By: Mike J. Fevola, Johnson & Johnson
Posted: June 30, 2011, from the July 2011 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

Purchase This Article

  • From Cosmetics & Toiletries
  • July 2011 issue, pg 482
  • 3 pages

Article Keywords:

Available Formats:

  • Adobe PDF for download
  • Printed copies mailed to you

From $9 an article

2-Hydroxybenzoic acid, or salicylic acid (SA), is among the most important medicinal compounds ever discovered. Since ancient times, humans have benefited from the therapeutic effects of naturally occurring SA precursors, which readily metabolize to SA and provide analgesic, anti- inflammatory and antipyretic benefits. Today, synthetic SA continues to play an important role as an active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) topical drug products and as a precursor to other drug compounds such as aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), methyl salicylate and the sunscreen actives homosalate and octisalate. SA is also a critical starting material for the synthesis of certain fragrance ingredients, including benzyl salicylate and isoamyl salicylate.

This is only an excerpt of the full article that appeared in Cosmetics & Toiletries, but you can purchase the full-text version.