Ingredients --
Salicylic Acid
Chemical Formula: C6H4(OH)CO2H
Synonyms
2-hydroxybenzoic acid
Description
White odorless crystals
Uses
Salicylic acid is used to treat acne, warts, dandruff, psoriasis,
and similar conditions.
In the treatment of acne, it slows the shedding of skin cells in
hair follicles, so they do not clog the pores and cause pimples.
It also has a keratolytic effect, causing dead cells to slough off.
The top layer of skin is removed, and pores unclogged.
In treatments for warts, a stronger solution is used. This not only
softens the wart so it can be rubbed off, but the irritation
stimulates the immune system to attack the human papillomavirus
that causes warts.
Salicylic acid reacts with acetic acid to produce
acetylsalicylic acid
the active ingredient in
aspirin.
It reacts with methanol to form methyl salicilate, more commonly
known as oil of wintergreen.
Salicylic acid is common in many plants, such as broccoli, peppers,
curry, cucumbers, and raisins, among many others.
Salicylic acid reduces inflammation, and can reduce it in arteries
to prevent hardening and narrowing.