salicylic acid
noun
sal·i·cyl·ic acid
ˌsa-lə-ˈsi-lik- 
: a crystalline phenolic acid C7H6O3 that is used medicinally especially as a skin exfoliant and in the form of salts and other derivatives as an analgesic and antipyretic compare aspirin
Examples of salicylic acid in a Sentence
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Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, chickpea flour
Size: 1.69 oz.
—
Emily Orofino, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2025
Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum With Retinol and AHAs
$30
Sephora
Though packed with powerful exfoliators—glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid—to smooth and even skin tone, this body lotion is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2025
Address: Across London Book a face peel: The Dr Obagi Blue Radiance Peel uses salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid to brighten and smooth the skin's texture.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
This winter, the brand is expanding its line of fan-favorite micellar waters with a new formula featuring salicylic acid.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
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Emily Orofino, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2025
Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum With Retinol and AHAs
$30
Sephora
Though packed with powerful exfoliators—glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid—to smooth and even skin tone, this body lotion is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2025
Address: Across London Book a face peel: The Dr Obagi Blue Radiance Peel uses salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid to brighten and smooth the skin's texture.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
This winter, the brand is expanding its line of fan-favorite micellar waters with a new formula featuring salicylic acid.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for salicylic acid
Cite this Entry
“Salicylic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salicylic%20acid. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
salicylic acid
noun
sal·i·cyl·ic acid
ˌsal-ə-ˌsil-ik-
: a weak acid used especially in the form of salts to relieve pain and fever
Medical Definition
salicylic acid
noun
sal·i·cyl·ic acid
ˌsal-ə-ˌsil-ik-
: a crystalline phenolic acid C7H6O3 that is the ortho form of hydroxybenzoic acid and is used especially in making pharmaceuticals and dyes, as an antiseptic and disinfectant especially in treating skin diseases, as a keratolytic agent for skin exfoliation, and in the form of salts and other derivatives as an analgesic and antipyretic and in the treatment of rheumatism see aspirin
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