Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Advanced Questions Is Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) stable in lotion?

  • Is Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) stable in lotion?

    Posted by prizes2011 on October 8, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    I’m sick of outrageously priced acne products that take advantage of people’s desperation. I have a lotion with the following ingredients:

    Water, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Glycerin, Capric/Caprylic
    Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid,
    Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexl Glycerin, Carbomer,
    Ceteareth 20, DMDM Hydantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide, Citric
    Acid
    The bottle is 16oz.
    I was wondering if I could add 2% crushed aspirin to the bottle to make an acne-fighting lotion similar to other salicylic acid products? Thanks for the help!
    belassi replied 8 years, 6 months ago 4 Members · 5 Replies
  • 5 Replies
  • belassi

    Member
    October 8, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    aspirin is not salicylic acid.

    secondly, have you checked your ingredients for comedogenesis?
  • prizes2011

    Member
    October 8, 2015 at 7:52 pm

    @Belassi I know it’s not the exact same, but they have similar effects. Most of the ingredients have low comedogenic ratings I believe. I just don’t want to shell out greedy prices for salicylic acid lotions, which is why I asked if this would work or not. 

  • OldPerry

    Member
    October 9, 2015 at 4:09 am

    I’m afraid Aspirin (which is Acetylsalicylic Acid) will not fight acne.  There is a reason those lotions with salicylic acid are expensive…they work.  

    Lotions with acetylsalicylic acid will not work.
    I’m not sure I understand the claim that products are “outrageously priced” though.  You can get a St. Ives acne product for $3.
  • MarkBroussard

    Member
    October 11, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    @prizes2011:

    There aren’t any ingredients in your formulation that are going to do anything for someone with acne.  If you add salicylic acid, yes, that would help.
    But, you cannot market the formulation you listed as an acne control product as it does not contain one of the Acne OTC Monograph ingredients.
  • belassi

    Member
    October 11, 2015 at 6:33 pm

    When you try dissolving crushed aspirin in anything, you are going to discover that it is very different.

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