Risk of Death by Salicylic Acid Body Wash

February 17, 2008 by
Emily Patterson  
Emily Patterson
Emily Patterson
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Face of Death  |  Salicylic Acid  |  Brain Death  |  Cos  |  Sudden Death

Clear Skin? Maybe, Maybe Not. Risk of Death? You Decide.

Through market research in online discussion boards, I have found that adolescents are recommending to each other to use face wash containing salicylic acid as a body wash to control 'body acne'. In addition, many cosmetic companies have
body wash products containing 2% salicylic acid to control 'body acne'. Most often, pimples on the arms and legs are a common condition called 'keratosis pilaris'. It is very common, 50 to 80% of adolescents have this benign condition. The big question: IS 2% SALICYLIC ACID SAFE WHEN USED IN A BODY WASH?

According to the International Programme on Chemical Safety[1], salicylic acid is a form of aspirin and is readily dermally absorbed. There is a strong connection to a number of health risks, including death, from the use of products containing salicylic acid. One of the risks of choosing to use these products is Reye's Syndrome. Reye's Syndrome can kill a person or leave them disabled for the rest of their life. Another risk of choosing to use these products is aspirin-induced asthma. Asthma attacks can kill a person. Another risk is symptoms of aspirin sensitivity. The result of an allergic reaction to aspirin can be death. Yet another risk is increased risk of skin cancer from increased sensitivity to UV sunlight. Skin cancer can be fatal.

Dermal absorption of a face wash containing 2% salicylic acid is approximately 1/3 of a baby aspirin. One baby aspirin contains 80 to 100 mg of aspirin. So, the dermal absorption from using 2% salicylic acid only on the face is approximately 26 - 33 mg of aspirin. It is apparent, without measurements, that the face is less than 10% of the skin surface of the body. A body wash containing 2% salicylic acid may allow dermal absorption the equivalent of well over 260 - 330 mg of aspirin. Half of the adult dose of 650 mg. This is an extremely conservative estimate. Different areas of skin on the body have different absorption rates based on skin thickness, pore size and vascular structure.

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The content of the whole bottle isn't the equivalent of 1/3 of a baby aspirin - it's a whole lot more than that. If you use a dermal wash containing 2% salicylic acid ONLY on your face you absorb approximately 1/3 of a baby aspirin when you wash ONLY your face in a single wash. Now, use that same amount all over your whole body.
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Posted on 04/01/2009 at 4:04:32 PM

Dermal absorption of a face wash containing 2% salicylic acid is approximately 1/3 of a baby aspirin. One baby aspirin contains 80 to 100 mg of aspirin. So, the dermal absorption from using 2% salicylic acid only on the face is approximately 26 - 33 mg of aspirin. But wouldn't this be if you absorbed the whole bottle in a single wash? You would only use a small ammount every day. You should mention the ammount used too.
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Posted on 04/01/2009 at 4:04:30 PM

Salicylic acid *is* dermally absorbed. Where is the pure crap? I posted studies - where are yours to counter the argument that is based on research? It's not pure crap, honey. This stuff is bad news - it's an acid that burns off skin cells, is dermally absorbed and has the potential to cause asthma attacks and the associated risk of death for those who are sensitive to aspirin and increase the risk of Reye's Syndrome. I've provided studies to back me up - where are yours?
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Posted on 12/15/2008 at 6:12:55 PM

Emily, you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. It would be freaking magnificent if you did a little research before you started spewing pure crap.
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Posted on 12/14/2008 at 7:12:28 PM

Sarah, Thank you for your comment. There is no warning on these products that the dose can lead to an asthma attack, Reye's Syndrome and is potentially fatal to the portion of our population that is sensitive to aspirin. This warning is *required* on all ingested products that contain aspirin, however there is no warning required for body care products even though the salicylic acid IS dermally absorbed. In addition, the rate of absorption is 1/3 of a baby aspirin by using JUST a face wash. These body washes contain the same amount of salicylic acid, to be spread and absorbed over the entire skin surface of the body. If a face wash alone is 1/3 of a baby aspirin, uh, what's the absorption of the ENTIRE body? Considering the number of children and young teens, the most susceptible to Reye's Syndrome and the increase in death rates of those who have asthma, that use body wash products, just whatever is in the shower, do you agree that there should at least be a warning on these products
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Posted on 10/10/2008 at 12:10:10 AM

I may be reading this wrong, but your article seems to imply that these body washes are never more risky than taking a normal adult dosage of aspirin. Furthermore, some physicians recommend taking a daily dosage of aspirin to prevent heart disease. The "you decide" factor in this article is pretty poor. Only the scariest information was included. Reyes syndrome, for instance, is primarily a concern for children, and only for those that take aspirin for fever like symptoms. Your article begs the question "Are these body washes any less safe than taking aspirin?" and the data you provide indicate that they aren't, but your tone suggests they are.
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Posted on 09/26/2008 at 3:09:00 PM

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