Salicylic Acid 10%, 20% w/w Suppliers & Bulk Manufacturers

Available Forms: Ointment

Available Strengths: 10%, 20% w/w

Reference Brands: Marco Viti, Salicylix SF (EU/UK)

Category: Derma Drugs

Salicylic Acid is an anti-bacterial medicine used to treat acne. Acne appears as spots or pimples on your face, chest or back. This medicine works by attacking the germs that cause them.

Product Description:

Salicylic acid is a keratolytic, not an antibiotic, and its presence in an antibiotics listing reflects catalogue placement rather than pharmacology. It works by dissolving the intercellular cement binding keratinocytes, loosening and shedding the outer layer of the stratum corneum.

Topical ointments at 10% and 20% are used for hyperkeratotic conditions — warts, corns, calluses, and the thickened plaques of psoriasis, where it also improves penetration of corticosteroids applied alongside. Lower concentrations are used in acne preparations for their comedolytic effect.

Concentration determines the product's nature. A 2% salicylic acid preparation is a mild cosmetic exfoliant; a 20% ointment is a potent keratolytic capable of causing chemical burns on healthy skin. They are not variants of one product. Application over large areas, particularly in children, carries a risk of systemic salicylate absorption and toxicity, and diabetic patients and those with peripheral vascular disease should not use keratolytics on the feet unsupervised.

Sourcing notes. Regulatory classification varies substantially with concentration — cosmetic at low strengths, medicinal at high — and that governs registration route, labelling and permitted claims. Confirm the destination market's threshold before quoting. Manufacture is standard topical semisolid capability.