GLYCOLIC ACID (hydroxyacetic acid)
Official label name (INCI name, EU glossary of cosmetic ingredient names), No 11338
- No specific rule in the Cosmetics Regulation
GLYCOLIC ACID (hydroxyacetic acid): no specific rule of the EU Cosmetics Regulation names it. It is neither prohibited nor restricted there, and it is on none of its lists of colorants, preservatives or UV filters.
In plain words
What it is used for
Functions declared by manufacturers:
Buffering: stabilises the pH of cosmetics.
What the rules say
No EU rule targets this ingredient specifically. It remains subject to the general rule: every product must undergo a safety assessment before it is sold (Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009), under the manufacturer's responsibility.
The text of the annexes
No specific rule of the EU Cosmetics Regulation names this ingredient: it is on none of its lists (prohibited, restricted, colorants, preservatives, UV filters). It may be used under the responsibility of the manufacturer, who must ensure the product is safe.
Identity
- CosIng identifier
- 34147
- CAS (according to CosIng)
- 79-14-1
- EC (according to CosIng)
- 201-180-5
- Declared functions
- Buffering
- Wikidata
- Q409373
- ECHA InfoCard
- 100.001.073
- InChIKey
- AEMRFAOFKBGASW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Elsewhere in the world
Information on other jurisdictions. What is covered, and what is not yet.
United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- No specific rule in the Cosmetics Regulation
Switzerland
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 applies in Switzerland (Article 54 of the Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles).
United States, federal rules
None of the integrated sections of the federal code (21 CFR 700.11 to 700.27 and 250.250) targets this name. The FDA does not publish a list of allowed ingredients.
Australia
- Subject to conditions (threshold, labelling or packaging): GLYCOLIC ACID
Poisons Standard, Schedule 6 (cosmetic entries), page 260. Thresholds cited: 5% or less | 20% or less. Conditions (source text): (including its salts and esters) in cosmetic products or when packed and labelled for use as an agricultural chemical except: | (a) in cosmetic preparations for salon use only, when labelled in accordance with requirements under applicable jurisdictional Work Health and Safety laws, as amended from time to time; or | (b) in preparations containing 5% or less of glycolic acid; or | (c) in preparations containing 20% or less of glycolic acid with a pH of 3.5 or greater.
Recorded cosmetics that contain it
44 recorded products list it, according to Open Beauty Facts contributors. Records are dated: the formula may have changed. See the list (page in French).
Glossary: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175. Page updated on 21 October 2026.