Beta hydroxy acid (keratolytic)
Salicylic Acid
Clear to white gel or solution
Typical Strength
0.5%–14%
Formulations
0 compounds
Formula
C₇H₆O₃
Mol. Weight
138.12 g/mol
How It Works
Mechanism of action
Lipophilic beta-hydroxy acid that penetrates oily follicles to dissolve keratin plugs and exfoliate inside the pore. Anti-inflammatory and comedolytic — a workhorse for acne and keratinization disorders at compounded strengths.
What compounding can change
When Salicylic Acid is compounded for one patient, your prescriber can choose the concentration, combine it with other ingredients, and pick the base. Commercial products come in fixed strengths and bases.
Safety Considerations
Please note: Compounded medications require a prescription from a licensed prescriber for an individual patient. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality. A compounded medication is not the same as, or a generic version of, any FDA-approved drug. This page is general information, not medical advice. Your prescriber decides whether a treatment is right for you and sets the final ingredients, strength and dosage form.