Potassium Glycolate
AKA “1932-50-9, Potassium hydroxyacetate, Acetic acid, hydroxy-, monopotassium salt, 2-hydroxy-, potassium salt (1:1), 0QJO5319WB, DTXSID1042316, glycolic acid, RefChem:175484, DTXCID9022316
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Potassium glycolate
AKA: 1932-50-9, Potassium hydroxyacetate, Acetic acid, Hydroxy-, Monopotassium salt, 2-hydroxy-, Potassium salt (1:1), 0QJO5319WB, DTXSID1042316, Glycolic acid, RefChem:175484, DTXCID9022316
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...Potassium Glycolate...
Formula
C2H3KO3
Mol. Weight
114.14
CAS #
1932-50-9
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
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
A modern exfoliating agent created by combining glycolic acid (derived from sugar cane) with potassium. Developed in the 1990s as part of the chemical exfoliant revolution in skincare.
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
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 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)
Glycolic Acid
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
Glycolic Acid
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
2,4-Dihydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
4,4'-Dihydroxy-3,3'-(3-methylthiopropylidene) dicoumarin
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
Toluidines, their isomers, salts and halogenated and sulfonated derivatives except 4-hydroxy-2-nitro-toluidine and hydroxyethyl-2-nitro-p-toluidine
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Trichloroacetic acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
RALGA (Diacneal), a retinaldehyde and glycolic acid assoc...
A D Katsambas
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland), 2005
Effects of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 and calcipotriol on organotypic cultures of outer root sheath cells: a potential model to evaluate antipsor
Limat A, Hunziker T, Braathen LR
Archives of dermatological research, 1993
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
Nobiletin and 5-Hydroxy-6,7,8,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone Ameliorate 12- O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-Induced Psoriasis-Like Mouse Skin Lesions by
Yang G, Li S, Yang Y, Yuan L, Wang P et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2018
Nobiletin and 5-Hydroxy-6,7,8,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone Ameliorate 12- O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-Induced Psoriasis-Like Mouse Skin Lesions by
Yang G, Li S, Yang Y, Yuan L, Wang P et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2018
Nobiletin and 5-Hydroxy-6,7,8,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone Ameliorate 12- O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-Induced Psoriasis-Like Mouse Skin Lesions by
Yang G, Li S, Yang Y, Yuan L, Wang P et al.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2018
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