| Description |
Preservative, fungicide (superseded), prohibited in milk and wine
Salicylic acid is a colorless, crystalline organic carboxylic acid. Salicylic acid is toxic if ingested in large quantities, but in small quantities is used as a food preservative and antiseptic in toothpaste. It is also the key additive in many skin-care products for the treatment of acne, psoriasis, callouses, corns, keratosis pilaris and warts. The carboxyl group (COOH) can react with alcohols, forming several useful esters. The name derives from the latin word for the willow tree (Salix), from whose bark it can be obtained.; --Wikipedia; Salicylic acid treats acne by causing skin cells to slough off more readily, preventing pores from clogging up. This effect on skin cells also makes salicylic acid an active ingredient in several shampoos meant to treat dandruff. Use of straight salicylic solution may cause hyperpigmentation on unpretreated skin for those with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick phototypes IV, V, VI), as well as with the lack of use of a broad spectrum sunblock. Subsalicylate in combination with bismuth form the popular stomach relief aid known commonly as Pepto-Bismol. When combined the two key ingredients help control diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and even gas. It is also very mildly anti-biotic. Salicylic acid is found in many foods, some of which are sourdock, horned melon, sesame, and cloud ear fungus. |
