Ingredient · dataset v56
Tridecyl Salicylate and fungal acne
May trigger · Limited evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
A C13 alcohol esterified to salicylic acid; C13 sits in the uptake range and C12-15 alkyl benzoate is already ruled trigger-1 on the same alcohol logic.
Inheritance call; the salicylate half is below range.
Evidence strength
Limited evidence (1/3)
Function
Fatty ester
Fatty esters: split by the yeast’s enzymes into edible fats.
Products without this ingredient
- Cleure Fragrance Free Leave-In Conditioner 8 fl oz
- Maybelline New York Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
- Neutrogena Evenly Clear Acne Cleansing Mask 4.2 fl oz
- Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water
- COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 20 ml
- Pantene Miracle Bond Repair Sulfate-Free Shampoo 13.5 oz
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
- Butyloctyl Salicylate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate — May trigger · Limited evidence
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Tridecyl 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 Tridecyl Salicylate feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Tridecyl 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: A C13 alcohol esterified to salicylic acid; C13 sits in the uptake range and C12-15 alkyl benzoate is already ruled trigger-1 on the same alcohol logic.
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 Tridecyl Salicylate →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.