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Salicylic acid

Beta hydroxy acid exfoliates skin and unclogs pores

Salicylic acid is an organic compound with the formula C7H6O3. A colorless (or white), bitter-tasting solid, it is a precursor to and a metabolite of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). It is a plant hormone, and the name is from Latin salix for willow tree, from which it was initially identified and derived. It is used as an ingredient in dermatologic cosmetics (e.g. anti-acne products). Salts and esters of salicylic acid are known as salicylates.

Information, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing a treatment.

Research 10

  1. Heat‐treated <i>Limosilactobacillus fermentum</i>LM1020 with menthol, salicylic acid, and panthenol promotes hair growth and regulates hair scalp microbiome balance in androgenetic alopecia: A double‐blind, randomized and placebo‐controlled clinical trialJournal of cosmetic dermatology · 2024 · 6 citations
  2. Hair Follicle-Targeted Delivery of Azelaic Acid Micro/Nanocrystals Promote the Treatment of Acne VulgarisInternational Journal of Nanomedicine · 2024 · 22 citations
  3. Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in females in reproductive age with topical estradiolbenzoate, prednisolon and salicylic acid.PubMed · 2000 · 6 citations
  4. Clinical development and management of adverse events associated with FGFR inhibitorsCell Reports Medicine · 2023 · 69 citations
  5. Histologic Changes in the Skin of Hairless Mice Following Peeling With Salicylic AcidArchives of Dermatology · 2000 · 81 citations
  6. Acne and Its ManagementPediatrics in Review · 2013 · 16 citations
  7. Effectiveness and tolerance of medicated shampoo containing selenium sulfide and salicylic acid in patients with seborrheic dermatitisJournal of Dermatological Treatment · 2025 · 6 citations
  8. Home Remedies in DermatologyIndian Dermatology Online Journal · 2023 · 3 citations
  9. Hair Loss and 5-Aminosalicylic Acid EnemasAnnals of Internal Medicine · 1982 · 18 citations
  10. The In Vitro Use of the Hair Follicle Closure Technique to Study the Follicular and Percutaneous Permeation of Topically Applied DrugsAlternatives to Laboratory Animals · 2012 · 14 citations
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Posts 7

  1. Salicylic Acid shampoo while on minoxidil. Is it okay?Reddit · 14 Aug 2021
  2. Derma Harmony Sulfur/salicylic acid soap bar shampoo, it caused major hair loss shedding and oily scalp with acne breakoutReddit · 15 Sept 2025
  3. Does salicylic acid render minoxidil useless?Reddit · 6 Feb 2022
  4. Any experience with salicylic acid scalp solution?Reddit · 9 Aug 2019
  5. [19M] Before and after pics 8 months after consistent use of Finasteride 1 mg and Minoxidil 5% 1ml every night, ketokonazole2%+salicylic acid mild shampoo everyday. I've used minoxidil only for the frontal, most significant area of the scalp for regrowth as 1 ml is not enough for entire scalpReddit · 19 Dec 2021
  6. topical minoxidil, botana oil, coconut moisturizer, derma stamping, derma rolling, 3% salicylic acid shampoo, and scalp massage results thus farReddit · 19 Aug 2025
  7. Salicylic acid for hair growthReddit · 30 Nov 2023
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