Specification of Methyl Salicylate
Liquid Absorbent
What Is It?
TEA-Salicylate (also known by its FDA-required sunscreen active ingredient name Trolamine Salicylate) is the Triethanolamine salt of Salicylic Acid (sometimes called a beta hydroxy acid [BHA]).
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
TEA-Salicylate, is used as an ultraviolet light absorber to protect cosmetics and personal care products from deterioration by UV rays. While TEA-Salicylate is also an FDA-approved over-the-counter active sunscreen ingredient, its use today is very limited or non-existent (see Safety Information tab).
Scientific Facts:
Also known as 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid occurs naturally in the bark of the willow tree, Salix alba, and methyl salicylate is present in wintergreen leaves, Gaultheria procumbens, and in sweet birch bark, Betula lenta. Salicylic acid is probably best known as a compound that is chemically similar but not identical to the active component of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).