Expert: Mike Fulcher - 4/23/2007

Question
a few years, i found a topical product i really liked. I believe it's out of production now and would like to recreate it. it contained several oils and the chemical salicylic acid. having done some searching i know salicylic acid comes in a powder and an alcohol solution. which of these would be appropriate to use/mix with the oils; the alcohol or the powder

Answer
The liquid form would probably provide the most rapid effect, however it's impossible for me to say if the alcohol from the solution would be cosoluble with the oils without knowing exactly what they were.  My guess would be that these types of products use finely powdered aspirin in an oil emulsion base, so that the aspirin is slowly dissolved at the skin surface providing a more durable effect.  I think experimentation would be your best avenue, but I recommend sticking to small quantities to avoid unforeseen side effects.  I hope this helps.