Ingredient · dataset v56
Butyloctyl Salicylate and fungal acne
May trigger · Limited evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
Salicylic acid esterified to branched-C12 2-butyloctanol; under the alcohol-inheritance rule it takes the trigger-1 status of its alcohol half (2-butyloctanol is branched C12).
New-rule call (was proposed neutral-0).
Evidence strength
Limited evidence (1/3)
Function
Fatty ester
Fatty esters: split by the yeast’s enzymes into edible fats.
Products without this ingredient
- Acure Dry Shampoo, Non Aerosol, Clean, 100% Vegan 1.7 oz Travel Size
- RCMA Makeup The Original No-Color Powder
- Neutrogena Evenly Clear Acne Cleansing Mask 4.2 fl oz
- Avene Micellar Cleansing Water 3-in-1 200 ml
- Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
- Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo & Body Wash
Related fatty ester
- Ascorbyl Palmitate — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Behenyl Acrylate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Behenyl Behenate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Bis-Octyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate/Propanediol Copolymer — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate — No known trigger
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- C14-22 Alcohols — May trigger · Limited evidence
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Butyloctyl Salicylate trigger fungal acne?
We flag it as a potential trigger (limited evidence). That means it belongs to a class the Malassezia yeast is known to feed on — not that every product with it will cause a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
Does Butyloctyl Salicylate feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Butyloctyl Salicylate as a potential trigger (limited evidence). It belongs to a class Malassezia is known to feed on — not a claim that every product with it causes a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
How confident is this call?
Limited evidence: Salicylic acid esterified to branched-C12 2-butyloctanol; under the alcohol-inheritance rule it takes the trigger-1 status of its alcohol half (2-butyloctanol is branched C12).
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Butyloctyl Salicylate →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.