Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid belongs to a class of drugs known as salicylates. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid may work by helping the skin to shed dead cells from the top layer and by decreasing redness and swelling (inflammation). This decreases the number of pimples that form and speeds healing.

Salicylic acid is an organic compound with the formula HOC₆H₄COOH. A colorless , bitter-tasting solid, it is a precursor to and a metabolite of aspirin. It is a plant hormone, and has been listed by the EPA Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Substance Inventory as an experimental teratogen.
Formula: C₇H₆O₃
Molar mass: 138.12 g/mol
Classification: organic compound, hydroxy acids