• Formulating

  pink or brown in creams containing salicylic acid

  Posted by ESN on February 17, 2024 at 12:22 am

  The reason for the color change to pink or brown in creams containing salicylic acid may be the effect of pH or the formation of salt or…

  olivia101 replied 2 months, 1 week ago 7 Members · 7 Replies
• 7 Replies

• 

  Onur

  Member

  February 20, 2024 at 4:45 am

  Mostly because of light and air exposure, which is oxidation. Impurities or interactions with other ingredients in the formulation might be the culprit, too.

• 

  Abdullah

  Member

  February 20, 2024 at 8:49 pm

  Add some EDTA

• 

  ushassume

  Member

  February 21, 2024 at 4:57 am

  Ever noticed the color change in creams with salicylic acid? It’s like a chemistry experiment on your skin! The shift to pink or brown might be influenced by pH or the formation of salts. Science meets skincare in the most colorful way.

  @tunnel rush, how do you think?

• 

  ketchito

  Member

  February 21, 2024 at 6:31 am

  “Synthetic SA is white and odorless whereas natural SA, derived from the hydrolysis of methyl salicylate, may have a slight pink or yellow tint and a faint wintergreen-like odor.”

  Source: https://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/cosmetic-ingredients/actives/blog/21837700/ingredient-profile-salicylic-acid

  

  cosmeticsandtoiletries.com

  Ingredient Profile: Salicylic Acid

  2-Hydroxybenzoic acid, or salicylic acid (SA), is among the most important medicinal compounds ever discovered. Since ancient times, humans have benefited from the therapeutic effects of naturally occurring SA precursors, which readily metabolize to SA and provide analgesic, anti- inflammatory … Continue reading

• 

  ketchito

  Member

  February 21, 2024 at 6:39 am

  “However, methyl
  salicylate does display the normal
  instability innate to the salicylate
  group; a pink-red discoloration in
  contact with traces of iron salts.”

  Source: https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2016/02/pf.9902.pdf

  I believe the pink color drift might be caused by methyl salicylate remains in the natural salicylic acid, when in contact with traces of iron

• 

  dallasflynn

  Member

  June 21, 2024 at 5:35 am

  The color change could be due to the effect of pH on the salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a weak acid, and its color can change depending on the pH of the formulation. At lower pH levels (more acidic), salicylic acid may appear colorless or pale, while at higher pH levels (more basic), it can take on a pink or brown hue @shell shockers

• 

  olivia101

  Member

  August 14, 2024 at 3:24 am

  It’s accurate that light and air exposure can lead to oxidation, which can degrade ingredients, alter their effectiveness, and impact the overall product quality. This is particularly relevant for sensitive compounds, such as vitamins and certain oils.

  • This reply was modified 3 months ago by  Perry44.

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