On 30 April 2025, the SCCS adopted a final opinion on children’s exposure to Salicylic Acid, following public consultation initiated in January 2025. The assessment built upon previous opinion SCCS/1646/22 on children’s exposure to this ingredient.
Salicylic acid is currently regulated under Annex III Entry 6 and Annex V Entry 3 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, with maximum concentration of 0.5% as preservative and up to 3.0% in rinse-off products for other uses.
The assessment considered potential endocrine effects and serious eye irritation.
As preservative at 0.5%:
- Not safe when used in product combinations for children aged 3-10 years
- Safe in individual product categories (except body lotion)
- Potential to cause serious eye damage
For other uses (non-preservative):
- Not safe at 3.0% in rinse-off hair products
- Not safe at 2.0% in selected dermal products
- Not safe at 0.5% in body lotion
Proposed safe concentrations:
- 0.5% in rinse-off products
- 0.15% in leave-on products
- 0.1% in oral care products
Expected timeline for regulatory implementation:
- Final opinion published
- Amendments to Annexes III and V of EU Cosmetics Regulation expected
- Cumulative exposure assessment to salicylates ongoing by SCCS