GLYCOLIC ACID
Exfoliant; pH Adjuster; BUFFERING
Also listed as
ACETIC ACID, HYDROXY-; HYDROXYACETIC ACID; HYDROXYETHANOIC ACID; HYDROXY- ACETIC ACID; ACETIC ACID, HYDROXY; GLYCOLLIC ACID; 2-HYDROXYACETIC ACID; ACETIC ACID, HYDROXY-; ALPHA-HYDROXYACETIC ACID; HYDROXYACETIC ACID; HYDROXYETHANOIC ACID
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
 | Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
 | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Contamination concerns |
 | Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Neurotoxicity |
|
See products containing GLYCOLIC ACID | |
About GLYCOLIC ACID: Gylcolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid.
GLYCOLIC ACID has reported used in the following product types: facial moisturizer/treatment (166); anti-aging (96); facial cleanser (93); acne treatment (52); exfoliant/scrub (51); toners/astringents (34); moisturizer (32); mask (28); skin fading/lightener (24); around-eye cream (18)
Violations, restrictions & warnings
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Allowable pH limits | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | Canada - Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetics Ingredients | |
| Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses | products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips | RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946 |
| show more | ||
Neurotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses | RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1941 |
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses | RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development 1996 | |
| show more | ||
Occupational hazards
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| No workplace limits set | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| 521 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results -> | PubMed |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be persistent | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| Canada - Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetics Ingredients | GLYCOLIC ACID | •Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | GLYCOLIC ACID | •Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications •Determined safe for use in cosmetics up to a specified concentration limit •Allowable pH limits •Safe when formulated to avoid increasing sun sensitivity or when directions for use include daily use of sun protection •Safe when formulated to avoid increasing sun sensitivity or when directions for use include daily use of sun protection • |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | ACETIC ACID, HYDROXY- | •This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for as a low human health priority. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | GLYCOLIC ACID | •Dermatotoxin: Skin Burns; |
| RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946 | GLYCOLIC ACID | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946 | GLYCOLIC ACID | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 1959 | GLYCOLIC ACID | • metabolic - Weight loss or decreased weight gain (rat TDLo) • kidney or renal system - Other changes (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Drug and Chemical Toxicology 1999 | GLYCOLIC ACID | • reproductive - Fetotoxicity (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology 1998 | GLYCOLIC ACID | • developmental - Musculoskeletal system (rat TDLo) • reproductive - Other effects (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Investigative Urology 1975 | GLYCOLIC ACID | • metabolic - Ca (rat TDLo) • kidney or renal system - Other changes (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1941 | GLYCOLIC ACID | • gastrointestinal - Other changes (rat LD50) • brain and nervous system - Somnolence (general depressed activity) (rat LD50) |
| RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development 1996 | GLYCOLIC ACID | • developmental - Musculoskeletal system (rat TDLo) • reproductive - Other effects (rat TDLo) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Canada - Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetics Ingredients | Health Canada. 2007. List of Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients. Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. March 2007. |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946 | RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology. (Ophthalmic Pub. Co., 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1415, Chicago, IL 60611) Series 3: V.1- 1918- 29,1363,1946 |
| RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology 1946 | RTECS®- American Journal of Ophthalmology. (Ophthalmic Pub. Co., 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1415, Chicago, IL 60611) Series 3: V.1- 29,1363,1946 |
| RTECS®- Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 1959 | RTECS®- Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.31- 1951- 84,183,1959 |
| RTECS®- Drug and Chemical Toxicology 1999 | RTECS®- Drug and Chemical Toxicology. (Marcel Dekker, 270 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016) V.1- 1977/78- 22,569,1999 |
| RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology 1998 | RTECS®- International Journal of Toxicology. (Taylor & Francis, 47 Runway Rd., Suite g, Levittown, PA 19057) V.16- 1997- 17(Suppl 1),71,1998 |
| RTECS®- Investigative Urology 1975 | RTECS®- Investigative Urology. (Baltimore, MD) V.1-19, 1963-81. For publisher information, see JOURAA. 13,113,1975 |
| RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 1941 | RTECS®- Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. (Cambridge, MA) V.18-31, 1936-49. For publisher information, see AEHLAU. 23,259,1941 |
| RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development 1996 | RTECS®- Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.1- 1968- 53,117,1996 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 by Environmental Working Group
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