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Betaine Salicylate

Betaine SalicylateExfoliant

A gentler beta-hydroxy exfoliant common in K-beauty — a salicylic-acid-and-betaine pairing that behaves like a milder BHA.

What it does

Betaine salicylate combines salicylic acid with betaine, an amino-acid-derived humectant. On the skin it behaves as a beta-hydroxy acid: oil-soluble, so it can work inside the pore to loosen the dead-cell and sebum buildup behind clogged pores and blackheads. It is popular in Korean formulations as a milder route to BHA exfoliation — a given percentage of betaine salicylate delivers less free salicylic acid than the same percentage of straight salicylic acid, so it tends to read as gentler on the label, with roughly 4% betaine salicylate often positioned around a 2% salicylic acid experience. Unlike the cosmetic ester salicylates (butyloctyl, ethylhexyl, benzyl), this one is a genuine exfoliant.

Also known as

bha (betaine salicylate)

Pairs worth knowing

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) · works together ↗Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5) · works together ↗Centella Asiatica (Cica) · works together ↗
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