Active: Salicylic Acid 0.5%. Inactive: Water ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a keratolytic active used to loosen compacted surface cells and help keep pores clear. At 0.5%, it is a low-strength exfoliating or acne-care active rather than a preservation or texture ingredient.
What does Active: Salicylic Acid 0.5%. Inactive: Water do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a keratolytic active used to loosen compacted surface cells and help keep pores clear. At 0.5%, it is a low-strength exfoliating or acne-care active rather than a preservation or texture ingredient.
Is Active: Salicylic Acid 0.5%. Inactive: Water clean?
Clean-beauty frameworks generally allow it within regulated limits, but it carries more irritation potential than simple humectants or emollients. It can cause stinging, dryness, or peeling, especially in low-pH formulas or when paired with other exfoliating actives.
Is Active: Salicylic Acid 0.5%. Inactive: Water sustainable?
This material is commonly synthesized from phenol and carbon dioxide, so it is usually fossil-derived rather than plant-derived. It is generally biodegradable and is not known for high persistence or bioaccumulation at cosmetic use levels.
Is Active: Salicylic Acid 0.5%. Inactive: Water COSMOS-approved?
It has partial COSMOS alignment, with permission under defined conditions and use limits rather than as an unrestricted natural raw material. From a Green Chemistry view, the efficient carbon dioxide carboxylation step is a positive, while fossil feedstock reliance and solubility-related formulation needs make the profile mixed.
How does Active: Salicylic Acid 0.5%. Inactive: Water work chemically?
The molecule is a small aromatic hydroxy carboxylic acid with a pKa around 2.97, so its free-acid form increases as formula pH moves into the acidic range. Typical cosmetic and OTC acne-use ranges are about 0.5% to 2%, and an all-water base may need pH control or solubilization because the free acid has limited water solubility.
Last updated 2026-05-15