Salicylate free cosmetics

Salicylates are compounds naturally found in the plants we consume — many fruit, vegetables, herbs and botanical extracts are rich sources, as are toothpaste and mouthwash, as are aspirin, other painkillers and cold/flu medication, which sometimes contain synthetically derived salicylate chemicals.

Salicylate intolerance or sensitivity is an under-recognised problem. Symptoms mirror those of more conventional allergies, and include gut symptoms, asthma / breathing difficulties, skin rashes, and neurological complaints.

Avoiding salicylates is difficult, and the low-salicylate diet is restrictive. The guidance of a dietitian is required for anyone diagnosed with a salicylate sensitivity, or any woman following the Guaifenesin Protocol — a treatment for fibromyalgia, which requires salicylate avoidance.

Regarding cosmetics and skincare, fruit extracts and essential oils are likely to be high in salicylates. Salicylate derivatives include methyl salicylate, sodium salicylate and calcium salicylate. Salicylic acid — also known as beta hydroxy acid (BHA) — is a common troublesome ingredient, acting as an anti-acne agent, exfoliant, and anti-dandruff ingredient.

Seed butters and oils, and waxes, are generally safe — these include soybean oil, corn oil, wheatgerm oil, beeswax, shea butter, mango seed butter, candellia wax and cocoa butter.

Here are a few brands offering specified low-salicylate / salicylate-free products.

 

Cleure (US / Worldwide)
This brand offers a huge range of cosmetics, including moisturisers, sunscreen, make-up, body washes, hair care, toothpaste and much more. It’s salicylate free, as well as free from formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, SLS, fragrance, gluten, parabens and more. For international orders, see their website here. Many Cleure products are available through Amazon US.

 

MySaliFree (Europe)
This is a lovely Austrian brand of salicylate-free products, which include face creams, lotions, cleansers and a shampoo, and which uses gentle sal-safe ingredients such as rice bran oil, shea butter, xanthan gum and glycerin. Learn more about them at their website here (in German), and in the UK you can order a selection through Amazon.

 

Andrea Rose (US)
Calling itself ‘the first and original salicylate free company’, Andrea Rose offers products from its own range ‘Personal Basics’, and also stocks some products by other brands which happen to be salicylate free, such as Elta MD and Free & Clear. Skin care, oral care, hair care and sun care are available. They are also fragrance free. Find the website here.

 

Facewise (UK)
This is a brand new four-strong skincare range founded by actress Sharon Maugham, who is salicylate sensitive. The range consists of a cleansing balm, facial oil, facial moisturiser and eye cream. Ingredients-wise, it looks very high tolerance indeed, so may well be suitable to those with both salicylate and other sensitivities. Shop direct from their website here.

 

Eye Care Cosmetics (International)
This French brand of salicylate-free cosmetics includes all make-up for eyes and lips, as well as facial cleansers and some creams, including eye creams, as well as nail care products. Find their products on Amazon UK or through their French website here.

 

NATorigin (Europe)
This brand is from the same ‘house’ as Eye Care Cosmetics, and has even greater ‘free from’ credentials for those with particularly sensitive eyes or skin, and requiring high-tolerance / low allergen cosmetics. Order through Amazon UK or their France site.

 

Anderson Aromatics (UK)
Small Scottish natural and handmade brand, which offers four ‘SAL free’ products — a Moisturiser, as well as a Soap, and a Facial Oil Cleanser, and a Body Butter.

 

Freezeframe (Aus)
CE Sonia Amoroso told us several of this Australian brand’s products are safely sal-free. They are: REVITALEYES, BOOST SERUM, NIGHT AND BODY BLUR. Find the Australian website here.

 

Other sources

You may also find the SalSearch web-page useful. Hosted by a German fibromyalgia website, it offers the facility to look up the salicylate status of ingredients.

 

If you have any other suggestions for safe brands or products, or specific requests for sal-free cosmetics, leave a comment and I’ll look into it in further detail.

 

Thanks to Pam (@PamAllergy on Twitter) for help with this article. 

12 Comments

  1. Tella

    This is useful but can you recommend some toothpastes please?

    Reply
    1. Alex G (Post author)

      Hi Tella. I think Cleure have some, but I will do a separate article on low salicylate toothpaste shortly. All the best, Alex.

      Reply
    2. Alex G (Post author)

      Hi Tella. As promised, here’s the piece on sal-free toothpastes (some other oral care products such as mouthwash too).
      https://www.allergy-insight.com/salicylate-free-toothpaste/
      Best wishes, Alex.

      Reply
  2. Pingback: Salicylate free toothpaste | Allergy Insight

  3. Peggy Webb

    Useful info. I’m dealing with fibromyalgia, IBS, tinnitus, acid reflux,dry itchy skin, depression, anxiety, hypothyroid, and, most recently, rosacea. The latter took me totally unaware. I have always taken care to avoid fragrance, alcohol, and sunscreen when choosing skin care products. I was able to tolerate some ceteryl or seateryl alcohol, but lately, everything I try on my face makes me itch, burn, and turn red, really red. I’ve neen reading about salicylate sensitivity, and I believe many of my problems point to that. Your article provides direction for investigation. Thank you. What specialty should I persue when lookong for a physician who could advise and support me in in my desire to find solutions in a diet that attacks all my health issues?

    Reply
    1. Alex G (Post author)

      Oh dear – that’s a lot to deal with Peggy. Sorry to hear this. First thing I’d say is to bear in mind that food may be a factor in only a few of those many conditions, not necessarily all. I’ve just published a book about IBS and know there’s a lot of involvement with food in that, but some of the others may be less clear cut. With so many conditions and so many foods potentially related to them, I would urge you to seek out a registered dietitian (RD). RDs use evidence rather than speculation to ascertain what the problem might be, and if it comes to pass that food restriction is needed, an RD will ensure you’re following a complete diet, which isn’t deficient in any essential nutrient. I’ve heard so many stories of people experimenting alone, and spiralling into an extremely restricted diet which makes them feel worse. Hope you find someone suitable. By the way, cetearyl alcohol and other alcohols you see in cosmetics aren’t alcohols in the traditional sense. You may also find my article on Allergen Free Cosmetics of use: https://www.allergy-insight.com/allergen-free-skincare/

      Reply
  4. Lisa

    I’ve recently been but on an elimination diet free from salicylates and amines also msg
    I’m 90% better, I was getting to the stage where after a weekend eating the wrong types of foods I’d be having food poisoning symptoms out of action for 24 hrs
    Also all over body rashes stomach pains etc I’ve relieved it’s been the build up of these naturally made chemicals in foods I thought o was doing the right thing by having blueberry smoothies for breakfast with spinach but I was just adding to the problem

    Reply
    1. Alex G (Post author)

      Glad things are working out for you!

      Reply
    2. Holly

      Hi Lisa , I was just wondering what do you now eat for breakfast

      Reply
  5. Hilda

    I use EmuOil products on my face and body..with absolutely great success.

    Reply
  6. Sonia Amoroso

    Hi Pam, Sonia here from freezeframe. I noticed people asking about Sal-free toothpaste and you can find alfree plain, and plain whitening toothpaste, at Priceline or Chemist Warehouse in Australia (www.alfree.com.au). I also wanted you to know we have developed a full salicylate free skincare range with everything you need for healthy skin in 3 simple (salicylate free) steps. KEEP IT SIMPLE SKIN is available at http://www.keepitsimpleskin.com.au and priceline.

    Reply
  7. Cyndi

    I just found out about flushable foam to use with regular tp in place of wet wipes. However, every one I can find is plant- based. Is anyone making a product we can use?

    Reply

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