CosmeticBet
Anti-dandruff actives

Salicylic acid

INCI: SALICYLIC ACID

An anti-dandruff ingredient with limits in both the EU and the US.

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C7H6O3138.12 g/mol
oxygencarbonhydrogen
3D shape from PubChem 338

How common

All products4.4%
In shampoos19%
In shower gels6.6%
In conditioners4.7%

644 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 65 of all the names found on their labels.

What it is

  • An acid used in cosmetics as a conditioning agent, as a preservative and against dandruff.

    2 sourcesHide
    Some of the reported functions in cosmetics for ingredients in this group are hair and skin conditioning agents, and, less frequently, preservatives and fragrance ingredients.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2025 · open source
    (4) Salicylic acid, 1.8 to 3 percent.[2] US federal regulation · 2024 · open source

Why it is in products

  • In shampoos, mostly against dandruff: in the US it is an approved over-the-counter dandruff drug ingredient at 1.8 to 3%.

    2 sourcesHide
    (a) Active ingredients for the control of dandruff.[2] US federal regulation · 2024 · open source
    (4) Salicylic acid, 1.8 to 3 percent.[2] US federal regulation · 2024 · open source

What it does

  • Combined with piroctone olamine, it worked about as well as zinc pyrithione against dandruff in a small trial (19 people).

    Some evidencescalp3 sourcesHide
    One shampoo contained piroctone olamine (0.75%) combined with salicylic acid (2%) and the other contained zinc pyrithione (1%) as active ingredient.[3] Study · 2000 · open source
    Both shampoos were highly effective in reducing the dandruff.[3] Study · 2000 · open source
    a double-blind, randomised and bilateral study on 19 subjects[3] Study · 2000 · open source

Downsides and safety

  • The US panel’s verdict: safe when formulated not to irritate or sensitise.

    Well establishedSourceHide
    safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2025 · open source

  • Not for children under three in the EU.

    SourceHide
    Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age.[4] EU law · 2026 · open source

Where it works

SurfaceOuter layer(stratum corneum)Living layer(epidermis)Dermis

On the scalp, where flakes form.

SourceHide
(a) Active ingredients for the control of dandruff.[2] US federal regulation · 2024 · open source

Rules

European Union

  • Limited (Annex III, entry 98): at most 3.0% in rinse-off hair products, 2.0% in most other products, 0.5% in body lotions and some make-up. As a preservative, 0.5% (Annex V, entry 3).

    3 sourcesHide
    (a) Rinse-off hair products (b) Other products except body lotion, eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, roll-on deodorant[4] EU law · 2026 · open source
    (a) 3,0 % (b) 2,0 % (c) 0,5 %[4] EU law · 2026 · open source
    Salicylic acid ( 1 ) and its salts Salicylic acid 69-72-7 200-712-3 0,5 % (acid)[4] EU law · 2026 · open source

United States

  • An over-the-counter drug ingredient for dandruff at 1.8 to 3%.

    2 sourcesHide
    (a) Active ingredients for the control of dandruff.[2] US federal regulation · 2024 · open source
    (4) Salicylic acid, 1.8 to 3 percent.[2] US federal regulation · 2024 · open source
    We searched the FDA’s list of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients: no entry.open the list

Sources

  1. Amended Safety Assessment of Salicylic Acid and Salicylates as Used in Cosmetics International journal of toxicology, 2025US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel
  2. 21 CFR Part 358: Miscellaneous external drug products for over-the-counter human use, incl. dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis (2024 edition) US Government Publishing Office (govinfo), Code of Federal Regulations, 2024US federal regulation
  3. The antidandruff efficacy of a shampoo containing piroctone olamine and salicylic acid in comparison to that of a zinc pyrithione shampoo Lodén M et al., International journal of cosmetic science, 2000StudyAuthors include staff of ACO Hud
  4. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, consolidated text of 18 May 2026 Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex/Cellar), 2026EU law

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.