From the Guidelines
Glycerin and salicylic acid can be used together in a cream formulation to effectively treat dry, rough, or scaly skin conditions, with the most recent guidelines supporting the safety of salicylic acid in combination with other topical therapies 1. This combination works well because glycerin acts as a humectant that draws moisture to the skin, while salicylic acid functions as a keratolytic agent that helps remove dead skin cells. Some key points to consider when using this combination include:
- Typically, these creams contain 5-10% glycerin and 0.5-2% salicylic acid.
- Apply the cream to affected areas 1-2 times daily, gently massaging it into clean, dry skin.
- For best results, use consistently for at least 2-3 weeks.
- This combination is particularly effective for conditions like keratosis pilaris, psoriasis, and certain types of eczema.
- The glycerin provides immediate hydration and softening, while the salicylic acid gradually breaks down the thickened, rough patches of skin.
- If irritation occurs, reduce application frequency to every other day.
- Those with very sensitive skin should perform a patch test before regular use, as salicylic acid can sometimes cause mild irritation, although the risk of contact dermatitis is small 1. The combination of salicylic acid with other topical agents, such as corticosteroids, can be used for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, and is considered safe during pregnancy and lactation 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Salicylic Acid 6% Cream contains 6% salicylic acid USP incorporated into a specially formulated oil and water emulsion vehicle consisting of ... glycerin, ... Salicylic Acid 6% Lotion contains 6% w/w salicylic acid USP incorporated into a specially formulated oil and water emulsion vehicle consisting of ... glycerine, ...
The combination of glycerin and salicylic acid is present in both the cream and lotion formulations of the drug.
- Glycerin is an ingredient in the vehicle of both formulations.
- Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in both formulations. The FDA drug label does not provide information on the use of glycerin and salicylic acid cream together for a specific indication, but it does indicate that glycerin is a component of the vehicle in the salicylic acid cream 2.
From the Research
Glycerin and Salicylic Acid Cream Together
- The combination of glycerin and salicylic acid in a cream is not directly studied in the provided evidence.
- However, the individual effects of glycerin and salicylic acid on the skin are well-documented:
- The use of glycerin in cosmetics is considered safe, according to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel 3.
- A study on the combined effects of glycolic acid and salicylic acid found that the combination was effective in controlling acne and improving skin texture 6.
- Another study found that a combination of salicylic acid-based products was effective in treating mild comedonal-papular acne 7.
- Glycerin has also been shown to improve skin lesion development in a mouse model of psoriasis, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for psoriasis treatment 5.