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Sodium Salicylate

A synthetic derivative of salicylic acid with confirmed anti-wrinkle efficacy.

Anti-wrinkle
2.5
Anti-wrinkle icon
/ 10
Anti-Wrinkle
Anti-wrinkle ingredients prevent the formation or reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
2.5
Anti-wrinkle icon
/ 10
Anti-Wrinkle
Anti-wrinkle ingredients prevent the formation or reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Other functions
Preservative,
Preservative
Preservatives prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in a product.
Preservative,
Preservative
Preservatives prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in a product.
Denaturant
Denaturant
Denaturant – turns alcohol undrinkable.
Denaturant
Denaturant
Denaturant – turns alcohol undrinkable.
Origin
Synthetic
Synthetic
All kinds of ingredients formulated or produced by a chemical process, or those that have a chemical modification in their structure.
Synthetic
Synthetic
All kinds of ingredients formulated or produced by a chemical process, or those that have a chemical modification in their structure.
Sodium Salicylate
Overview Ratings Science Products

Overview

Sodium salicylate is a sodium salt of salicylic acid, and historically, it has been derived from the methyl salicylate found in wintergreen oil. Although, more recently, it has been transitioned to synthetic production.

This ingredient is used as a preservative, where it is commonly paired with sodium benzoate to create a broad-spectrum preservative that water soluble and effective at lower pH levels.

In addition to acting as a preservative, this off-white powder also acts as a denaturant in some chemicals. This is added to deter consumption and other inappropriate uses of certain chemicals.

Ratings

Reported efficacy
5
Wrinkle reduction
A cream containing 1% Sodium Salicylate demonstrated a 7% decrease in average mean depth of the largest periorbital wrinkles (Rz) compared to the vehicle after 8 weeks of use. Measured instrumentally (FOITS - Fast Optical in vivo Topometry). Study involving 30 subjects, study 1.
A cream containing 1% Sodium Salicylate demonstrated a 7% decrease in average mean depth of the largest periorbital wrinkles (Rz) compared to the vehicle after 8 weeks of use. Measured instrumentally (FOITS - Fast Optical in vivo Topometry). Study involving 30 subjects, study 1.
-7%
vs. benchmark (Tretinoin 0.05%)

A cream containing 0.05% Tretinoin (Retinoic acid) showed a 15% decrease in average skin roughness (Ra) and a 15% decrease in average maximum wrinkle depth (Rz) compared to the vehicle after 24 weeks of use. Measured instrumentally (optical profilometry using skin surface replicas) on cheek wrinkles. Study involving 299 subjects.

Grove et al. Skin replica analysis of photodamaged skin after therapy with tretinoin emollient cream. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1991 Aug;25(2 Pt 1):231-7. PMID: 1918458

A cream containing 0.05% Tretinoin (Retinoic acid) showed a 15% decrease in average skin roughness (Ra) and a 15% decrease in average maximum wrinkle depth (Rz) compared to the vehicle after 24 weeks of use. Measured instrumentally (optical profilometry using skin surface replicas) on cheek wrinkles. Study involving 299 subjects.

Grove et al. Skin replica analysis of photodamaged skin after therapy with tretinoin emollient cream. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1991 Aug;25(2 Pt 1):231-7. PMID: 1918458

-15%
Strength of evidence
5
Study 1
Merinville et al. Three clinical studies showing the anti-aging benefits of sodium salicylate in human skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2010 Sep;9(3):174-84. PMID: 20883290
Merinville et al. Three clinical studies showing the anti-aging benefits of sodium salicylate in human skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2010 Sep;9(3):174-84. PMID: 20883290
5
Study 2

We could find only one study for this ingredient that meets Creamscan research validation guidelines.

We could find only one study for this ingredient that meets Creamscan research validation guidelines.

-
Anti-wrinkle power
2.5
Creamscan anti-wrinkle rating is a weighted result of 2 parts:
1
Reported Efficacy: This measures the ingredient's ability to reduce wrinkles, confirmed by a double-blind, vehicle-controlled, randomized study. We compare the results reported in the study against a gold standard anti-wrinkle benchmark, 0.05% Tretinoin, to calculate a 0-10 efficacy score for the reviewed ingredient.
2
Strength of Evidence: This reflects how thoroughly an ingredient has been researched. While there are many studies on cosmetic ingredients, very few are robust, vehicle-controlled clinical trials on humans.
Each study meeting CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards earns the ingredient 5 points. An ingredient with just one qualifying study receives a score of 5 out of 10 for Strength of Evidence. To achieve a perfect score of 10 out of 10, an ingredient must have at least two studies confirming its efficacy from different research teams.

Science

1
Merinville et al. Three clinical studies showing the anti-aging benefits of sodium salicylate in human skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2010 Sep;9(3):174-84. PMID: 20883290

Products with Sodium Salicylate

PERFECT Clarifying Pore Corrector Mask
Algenist
PERFECT Clarifying Pore Corrector Mask
Gentle Exfoliating Gel
Avene
Gentle Exfoliating Gel
Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter
Clarins
Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter
Sleep Mask Tan Go Darker Face
James Read Tan
Antioxidants icon
0.8
Anti-wrinkle icon
5.1
Moisturizing icon
Sleep Mask Tan Go Darker Face
Cedrat Pure Cleanser
L'Occitane
Cedrat Pure Cleanser
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