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Salicylic acid and the kiddos…….
Because inquiring minds want to know.
When one reads that children under 2 should not be regularly coated in concoctions containing salicylic acid….I never usually see an inclusion/concentration rate?
So, for example (purely hypothetical) if one were to choose Geogard ECT (which contains salicylic acid) as a preservative. INCI: Benzyl Alcohol (and) Salicylic Acid (and) Glycerin (and) Sorbic Acid, would this warning still apply? At best, maybe you might end up with .4% SA. Is the warning more about a level of concentration? Or should the kiddos have no exposure to SA?
I remember a foggy memory…that the whole reason behind the warning was not a big deal (could be wrong….slept since then).
So…. can one safely formulate with a preservative that uses SA in a product that might be applied to children under 2?
I DO NOT plan on doing this…. Just inquiring minds want to know.
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5 Replies
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In the EU you cannot use Salicylic acid in products for children under 3 (except for shampoo).I think this is due to the potential for salicylate poisoning in small children through dermal exposure.In Australia the most popular teething gels for babies contain choline salicylate. -
This is from EU ANNEX III, restrictions.
no salicylic acid is allowed for kids below 3 years old.
My question is for (b) category…It is allowed up to 2% in a face product but not a body lotion?
I am developing a foot balm with salicylic acid. Is it in b or c category? it is for foot use not body.
I would prefer to use 1% instead of 0.5% and I am not sure what to do.
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It explicitely says except body lotion. You want to make a foot cream. So it falls under (b). The reason body lotions can’t have 2% is because much bigger surface area. Face cream can because face is much smaller -> less product applied and less SA absorbed. Body is much bigger area -> more product applied and more SA absorbed potentially causing poisoning.
Foot cream has small area and it is not body lotion, so it is (B)
Also, you can swap some of SA with Sodium Salicylate
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Thank you very much for your insightfull comment! ok, that makes sense f you include the surface area factor in the safety assesment.
I still believe it is rather unclear, but I agree, a foot balm has a clear application, feet, heels not body so it should be category b.
Thank you!
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Can’t technical safety - but the EU directive doesn’t give any wriggle room.
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