Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid is a preservative and keratolytic ingredient. It’s in 508 products on Poliage, most often cleanser, exfoliant and shampoo. Avoid lists on Poliage that include it: Salicylic acid.
Updated October 21, 2026
In plain English
A beta-hydroxy acid related to willow bark compounds. Loosens dead surface skin; also used in small amounts as a preservative.
What it does
Contains Salicylic Acid: antidandruff
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Salicylic Acid: hair-conditioning
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Salicylic Acid: keratolytic
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Salicylic Acid: masking
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Salicylic Acid: preservative
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Salicylic Acid: skin-conditioning
Function listed in CosIng
Source: CosIng, the European Commission cosmetic ingredient database, ref 37595, accessed October 22, 2026. Also listed as acidum salicylicum, beta hydroxy acid and bha salicylic acid.
Products that contain Salicylic Acid
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar duo (+)
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, silicones, salicylic acid
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar DUO (+) SPF 30
Lists fragrance, drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, silicones, chemical UV filters, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Duo (+) Unifiant Teinte Light
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, silicones, salicylic acid
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Duo (+) Unifiant Teinte Medium
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, silicones, salicylic acid
La Roche-Posay
EFFACLAR K(+) Soin rénovation peau grasse
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, silicones, salicylic acid
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Lotion Astringente
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, salicylic acid
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Mat Daily Moisturizer for Oily Skin
Lists fragrance, drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
Skinfood
Egg White Perfect Pore Cleansing Foam
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
Wella
Elements
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oreal Paris
Elivive Glycolic Gloss Gloss Combing Cream
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, silicones, chemical UV filters, salicylic acid
L’Oréal
Elseve Anti-casse shampooing réparateur
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Antipelliculaire shampooing traitant
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Argile Extraordinaire Shampooing antipelliculaire
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, essential oils, sulfates, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Arginine Resist X3 (format XXL)
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Arginine Resist X3 (Formule 2 en 1)
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Arginine Resist X3 (Maxi Format)
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Boucles Shampooing définissant
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Color-Vive Shampooing soin (format XXL)
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, chemical UV filters, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve energie shampooing purifiant
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Formule 2 en 1 Total Repair Shampooing reconstituant
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Huile Extraordinaire Shampooing crème nutrition
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Huile Extraordinaire Shampooing nutrition
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Liss Caresse [MK] Shampooing perfecteur
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Elseve Liss-Intense Shampooing disciplinant (Maxi format)
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
Related guides
Pairs and situations that regulators and DermNet flag
26 statements from the FDA, NHS and DermNet NZ about ingredients used together or in certain situations, each attributed, with no added advice.
Retinoids, AHAs and salicylic acid: what sources say
What DermNet NZ and the FDA say about retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids and salicylic acid: sun sensitivity, irritation, pregnancy and using them together.