Salicylic acid

<p>Salicylic acid is an <a href="/facts/Organic_compound/gqCNaN45">organic compound</a> with the formula HOC6H4COOH. A colorless (or white), bitter-tasting solid, it is a precursor to and a <a href="/facts/Active_metabolite/1zbPKbI0">metabolite</a> of <a href="/facts/Acetylsalicylic_acid/opMK4qLk">acetylsalicylic acid</a> (aspirin). It is a <a href="/facts/Plant_hormone/h3noouev">plant hormone</a>, and has been listed by the <a href="/facts/EPA/ghI985SI">EPA</a> <a href="/facts/Toxic_Substances_Control_Act/Y02xYkzv">Toxic Substances Control Act</a> (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory as an experimental <a href="/facts/Teratogen/j4BN6lsB">teratogen</a>. The name is from <a href="/facts/Latin/pM3Kge85">Latin</a> <i><a href="/facts/Salix/F66Xvslm">salix</a></i> for <a href="/facts/Willow_tree/F66Xvslm">willow tree</a>, from which it was initially identified and derived. It is an  ingredient in some anti-<a href="/facts/Acne/TKJxhHSd">acne</a> products. Salts and <a href="/facts/Ester/FoUAIIw4">esters</a> of salicylic acid are known as salicylates.
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Salicylic acid open-in-new

Salicylic acid