lipohydroxyacid + salicylic acid

This is a topical combination of two exfoliating agents—lipohydroxyacid (LHA) and salicylic acid—used primarily in dermatological skincare products for the treatment of acne and improvement of skin texture. Lipohydroxyacid (also known as capryloyl salicylic acid or 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid) is a derivative of salicylic acid with an added fatty chain, making it more lipophilic and allowing for slower, more targeted exfoliation at the skin surface. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that penetrates into pores to dissolve sebum and dead skin cells, providing comedolytic (anti-blackhead/whitehead) effects. The combination leverages both rapid pore penetration from salicylic acid and gentle surface renewal from LHA. Clinical studies have shown that formulations containing both ingredients improve acne severity, reduce comedones, enhance skin tone evenness, decrease post-inflammatory erythema/hyperpigmentation (PIE/PIH), regulate sebum secretion, and increase hydration without significant irritation[1][2][3][5]. LHA was originally developed by L'Oréal researchers in the 1980s[1].

Other names

LHA + salicylic acidlipo-hydroxy acid + salicylic acidcapryloyl salicylic acid + salicylic acid