Ethyl Glycolate
AKA “623-50-7, Ethyl hydroxyacetate, Ethyl glycollate, Hydroxyacetic acid ethyl ester, GLYCOLIC ACID, ETHYL ESTER, Acetic acid, 2-hydroxy-, ethyl ester, NSC 8835, EINECS 210-798-4, BRN 1743766
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Ethyl glycolate
AKA: 623-50-7, Ethyl hydroxyacetate, Ethyl glycollate, Hydroxyacetic acid ethyl ester, GLYCOLIC ACID, ETHYL ESTER, Acetic acid, 2-hydroxy-, Ethyl ester, NSC 8835, EINECS 210-798-4, BRN 1743766
Ingredient · Skin Conditioning · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Chemical Exfoliant
Not Clean
Based on the available information included in this report, the CIR Expert Panel concludes that Glycolic and Lactic Acid, their common salts and their simple esters, are safe for use in cosmetic products at concentrations less than or equal to 10%, at final formulation pH greater than or equal to 3.5, when formulated to avoid increasing sun sensitivity or when directions for use include the daily use of sun protection. These ingredients are safe for use in salon products at concentrations less than or equal to 30%, at final formulation pH greater than or equal to 3.0, in products designed for brief, discontinuous use followed by thorough rinsing from the skin, when applied by trained professionals, and when application is accompanied by directions for the daily use of sun protection...Ethyl Glycolate...
Formula
C4H8O3
Mol. Weight
104.10
CAS #
107-21-1
Form
Powder
State
Clear colorless liquid; [Acros Organics MSDS]
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Shields from UV damage
Traditional Use
Developed as a synthetic hydroxy acid in the late 20th century. Became popular in skincare products during the 1980s-1990s as a gentler alternative to glycolic acid for gentle exfoliation and skin renewal.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Uneven Texture
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, pentanedioic acid, 1,5-dimethyl ester, CAS Registry Number 1119-40-0.
Api AM, Belsito D, Botelho D, Browne D, Bruze M et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2018
Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2025
HPLC determination of thioglycolic acid and other aliphatic thiols in cosmetic formulations using ethacrynic acid as precolumn derivatization reagent.
Cavrini V, Andrisano V, Gatti R, Scapini G
International journal of cosmetic science, 1990
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid.
Cherian P, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid.
Cherian P, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2024
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ammonium and Glyceryl Thioglycolates and Thioglycolic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer and Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Glycolic Acid, Ammonium, Calcium, Potassium, and Sodium Glycolates, Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, and Butyl Glycolates, and Lactic Acid, Ammonium, Calcium, Potassium,
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Acetic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
dehydroacetic acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Glycolic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Potassium Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Silybum marianum ethyl ester
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Thioglycolic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Acetic acid and the skin: a review of vinegar in dermatology.
Elhage KG, St Claire K, Daveluy S
International journal of dermatology, 2022
Acetic acid and the skin: a review of vinegar in dermatology.
Elhage KG, St Claire K, Daveluy S
International journal of dermatology, 2022
Acetic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
dehydroacetic acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Glycolic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Thioglycolic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Potential application of novel liquid crystal nanoparticles of isostearyl glyceryl ether for transdermal delivery of 4-biphenyl acetic acid.
Fujii MY, Asakawa Y, Fukami T
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2020
Preparation of (13)C-labeled ceramide by acetic acid bacteria and its incorporation in mice.
Fukami H, Tachimoto H, Kishi M, Kaga T, Waki H et al.
Journal of lipid research, 2010
Detection of fatty acid ethyl esters in skin surface lipids as biomarkers of ethanol consumption in alcoholics, social drinkers, light drinkers, and t
González-Illán F, Ojeda-Torres G, Díaz-Vázquez LM, Rosario O
Journal of analytical toxicology, 2011
3-Imidazol-4-ylacrylic acid and its ethyl ester
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Glycolic acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Thioglycolic acid and its salts
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Thioglycolic acid esters
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Trichloroacetic acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Synthesis of mixed esters of ascorbic acid using methyl esters of palm and soybean oils.
Hsieh HJ, Chen JW, Giridhar R, Wu WT
Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology, 2005
RALGA (Diacneal), a retinaldehyde and glycolic acid assoc...
A D Katsambas
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland), 2005
The use of glycolic acid as a peeling agent.
H Murad, A T Shamban, P S Premo
Dermatologic clinics, 1995
Pd/C-Catalyzed Efficient and Selective Synthesis of Glycolic Acid from Ethylene Glycol.
Schmoll A, Huo YW, Shao S, Wu XF
ChemSusChem, 2025
Examination on biological activities and fates of new steroids, steroid-17-yl methyl glycolate derivatives.
Suzuki T, Tada H, Sato E, Tojima Y
The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine, 1999
Chitosan-Glycolic Acid Gel Modification of Chloride Ion T...
Olga Zavyalova, Dominika Dąbrowska-Wisłocka, Konrad Misiura, Iga Hołyńska-Iwan
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2023
Chitosan-Glycolic Acid Gel Modification of Chloride Ion T...
Olga Zavyalova, Dominika Dąbrowska-Wisłocka, Konrad Misiura, Iga Hołyńska-Iwan
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2023
Chitosan-Glycolic Acid Gel Modification of Chloride Ion T...
Olga Zavyalova, Dominika Dąbrowska-Wisłocka, Konrad Misiura, Iga Hołyńska-Iwan
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2023
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR