Salicylic acid (BHA) in cosmetics: why it's flagged
Short answer
Salicylic acid (BHA) is flagged by Olive Detective as a low concern in cosmetics. Exfoliant; low-dose rinse-off is low concern, but high-dose leave-on BHA is usually avoided in pregnancy as a precaution. The flag is class-level and precautionary, based on ACOG; dermatology consensus — it describes the ingredient class, not the safety of any particular product.
What the concern is
- Irritant — can irritate skin, eyes or the respiratory tract.
How it appears on an INCI list
Cosmetic labels use INCI names, which are standardised worldwide, so the same wording appears on a product bought anywhere. This class is matched on salicylic acid, betaine salicylate.
Pregnancy
This ingredient carries a caution flag in the app’s pregnancy-safe mode. With that mode on, a product containing it shows a warning banner and its personalised score is hard-capped. This is precautionary guidance drawn from regulatory positions, not medical advice — a midwife or doctor is the right person to ask about your own routine.
How it affects the score
Cosmetic scoring follows the Yuka method: a product with only green and yellow ingredients has its score floored at 50, any orange ingredient caps it below 50, and any red caps it below 25. This ingredient is yellow, so it does not cap a product's score by itself.
Source: ACOG; dermatology consensus
Other cosmetic ingredients we flag
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