Emollient

Isodecyl Salicylate

Reviewed by Kate · Last updated 18 Aug 2026

Also known as: Salicylic Acid, Skin Conditioning Ingredients

Ester of decyl alcohol + salicylic acid | Skin conditioning ingredient

Addresses

Dehydration

What Is Isodecyl Salicylate?

Isodecyl salicylate is the synthetic ester of fatty alcohol decyl alcohol and salicylic acid. In cosmetics formulations, it is used as both a skin conditioning ingredient and an anti-static agent.

The independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review has ruled isodecyl salicylate safe in its current usage. The maximum concentration of use of decyl salicylate in cosmetics is 2.5%.

Clinical Evidence & References

Published Research

  • PubChem, Website, Accessed September 2025 [https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/9860461]
  • SpecialChem, Website, Accessed September 2025 [https://www.specialchem.com/cosmetics/inci-ingredients/isodecyl-salicylate]
  • CoSmile Europe, Website, Accessed September 2025 [https://cosmileeurope.eu/inci/detail/7426/isodecyl-salicylate]
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review, June 2019 [https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/salicy042019FAR.pdf]

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