undefined 1
undefined 2
undefined 3
undefined 4
Isocetyl Salicylate
AKA “Isohexadecyl salicylate, Dermol ICSA, Salicylic acid, isocetyl ester, UNII-YKS8M9U22B, Isocetyl salicylate [INCI], YKS8M9U22B, Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, isohexadecyl ester, 138208-68-1, RefChem:149152”
Skin Conditioning
Ingredient Facts
Isocetyl salicylate
AKA: Isohexadecyl salicylate, Dermol ICSA, Salicylic acid, Isocetyl ester, UNII-YKS8M9U22B, Isocetyl salicylate [INCI], YKS8M9U22B, Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, Isohexadecyl ester, 138208-68-1, RefChem:149152
Skin Conditioning · Skin Conditioning · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Chemical Exfoliant
Not Clean
Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, isohexadecyl ester
Formula
C23H38O3
Mol. Weight
362.50
CAS #
138208-68-1
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Synthetic compound combining salicylic acid with isocetyl alcohol, created in the cosmetics industry for exfoliating and skin-conditioning properties in modern skincare formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
3.0%
0%4%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 3.0%. (a) 3.0% (b) 2.0%. Not to be used for children under three years of age (11) Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 98.
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Salicylic Acid.
, 2006
→
Amended Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid and Salicylates as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicylate, Isocetyl Salicylate, Iso
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Safety Assessment of Capryloyl Salicylic Acid as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid rescues multisystemic disease and perinatal lethality in a mouse model of mitochondrial disease.
Corral-Sarasa J, Martínez-Gálvez JM, González-García P, Wendling O, Jiménez-Sánchez L et al.
Cell reports, 2024
→
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (ester)
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Isocetyl Salicylate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Salicylic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicy
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2003
→
Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized stud
Dal Belo SE, Kanoun-Copy L, Lambert C, Cornillon C, Muller B et al.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2024
→
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
→
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
→
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
→
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Benzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Salicylic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
4-Aminosalicylic acid and its salts
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
→
Acetylsalicylic acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
→
Salicylic acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
→
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
→
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
→
Amended Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid and Salicylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Johnson W Jr, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
→
Amended Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid and Salicylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Johnson W Jr, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
→
Amended Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid and Salicylates as Used in Cosmetics.
Johnson W Jr, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
→
Safety Assessment of Capryloyl Salicylic Acid as Used in Cosmetics.
Johnson W Jr, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
→
Identification of didecyldimethylammonium salts and salicylic acid as antimicrobial compounds in commercial fermented radish kimchi.
Li J, Chaytor JL, Findlay B, McMullen LM, Smith DC et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2015
→
Identification of didecyldimethylammonium salts and salicylic acid as antimicrobial compounds in commercial fermented radish kimchi.
Li J, Chaytor JL, Findlay B, McMullen LM, Smith DC et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2015
→
Identification of didecyldimethylammonium salts and salicylic acid as antimicrobial compounds in commercial fermented radish kimchi.
Li J, Chaytor JL, Findlay B, McMullen LM, Smith DC et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2015
→
Identification of didecyldimethylammonium salts and salicylic acid as antimicrobial compounds in commercial fermented radish kimchi.
Li J, Chaytor JL, Findlay B, McMullen LM, Smith DC et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2015
→
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulph...
Haibo Liu, Haiyan Yu, Jun Xia, Ling Liu, Guan J Liu, Hong Sang + 1 more
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
→
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulph...
Haibo Liu, Haiyan Yu, Jun Xia, Ling Liu, Guan J Liu, Hong Sang + 1 more
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
→
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulph...
Haibo Liu, Haiyan Yu, Jun Xia, Ling Liu, Guan J Liu, Hong Sang + 1 more
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
→
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulph...
Haibo Liu, Haiyan Yu, Jun Xia, Ling Liu, Guan J Liu, Hong Sang + 1 more
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
→
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne.
Liu H, Yu H, Xia J, Liu L, Liu GJ et al.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
→
Impacts of Gum Arabic and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with Salicylic Acid on Peach Fruit (Prunus persica) Shelf Life.
Taher MA, Lo'ay AA, Gouda M, Limam SA, Abdelkader MFM et al.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2022
→
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR