Who should be careful with salicylic acid?

A few groups should be more careful with salicylic acid. People with a known aspirin or salicylate sensitivity should be cautious, and it is best kept away from the eye area and lips and off broken or very dry, sensitized skin. It must not be used at all in cosmetic products for children under three (this is prohibited under the EU Cosmetics Regulation), and exposure should be limited in older children. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, salicylates are absorbed to a small degree, so keep any cosmetic use to low-strength leave-on products on limited areas, avoid strong professional peels and broad-area application, and consult a doctor. As with any exfoliant, pair it with daily sunscreen. This is cosmetic reference information, not medical advice.