Thioglycolic Acid
A cosmetic ingredient used as antioxidant, depilatory, hair waving or straightening in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.
What is it?
Mercaptoacetic acid
What does it do?
Thioglycolic Acid is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:
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Antioxidant
neutralises free radicals to slow oxidative damage to the formulation or skin
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Depilatory
removes unwanted body hair, typically by breaking down the hair shaft
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Hair waving or straightening
permanently changes the shape of hair through chemical reduction and re-oxidation of the hair's disulfide bonds
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Reducing
a reducing agent — donates electrons to break chemical bonds, used in perms and depilatories
EU regulatory status
This ingredient is restricted in the European Union.
Thioglycolic Acid is listed under Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 (entry 2a). It is permitted only under specific conditions, concentration limits, or in particular product types.
Frequently asked questions
What is Thioglycolic Acid?
Thioglycolic Acid is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Mercaptoacetic acid
Is Thioglycolic Acid allowed in cosmetics in the EU?
Only with restrictions. Thioglycolic Acid is permitted in EU cosmetics only under specific conditions defined in Annex III of Regulation 1223/2009.
What does Thioglycolic Acid do in cosmetic products?
Thioglycolic Acid is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: antioxidant, depilatory, hair waving or straightening, reducing.
What is the CAS number of Thioglycolic Acid?
The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Thioglycolic Acid is 68-11-1.
Related ingredients
Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 14/08/2020