Sodium Thioglycolate

AKA “367-51-1, Sodium mercaptoacetate, Mercaptoacetic acid sodium salt, Sodium thioglycollate, Thioglycolate sodium, Mercaptoacetic acid, sodium salt, sodium sulfanylacetate, Sodium 2-mercatoethanoate, Thioglycollic acid”

Antioxidant

Ingredient Facts

Sodium thioglycolate

AKA: 367-51-1, Sodium mercaptoacetate, Mercaptoacetic acid sodium salt, Sodium thioglycollate, Thioglycolate sodium, Mercaptoacetic acid, Sodium salt, Sodium sulfanylacetate, Sodium 2-mercatoethanoate, Thioglycollic acid

Antioxidant · Antioxidant · EWG: 4

Synthetic

Antioxidant

Medicated Active

Not Clean

Based on the available data, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that ... Sodium Thioglycolate is safe for use in hair straighteners, permanent waves, tonics, dressings, and so forth, wave sets, other non-coloring hair products, and hair dyes and colors, as described in this safety assessment, at concentrations up to 15.2% (as Thioglycolic Acid). Hairdressers should avoid skin contact and minimize consumer skin exposure. Sodium Thioglycolate in depilatories is safe when formulated to be non-irritating under conditions of recommended use.

Solubility Very soluble (NTP, 1992)

Formula

C2H3NaO2S

Mol. Weight

114.10

CAS #

367-51-1

Form

Powder

State

Thioglycolic acid, sodium salt is a white powder with a slight odor. Used in cold-waving of hair and as a dipilatory.

See origin →

Functions

Antioxidant

Fights free radicals — the unstable molecules from UV, pollution, and stress that break down collagen and cause premature aging.

Depilatory

Hair Waving Or Straightening

Reducing

Neutralizes Free Radicals

Traditional Use

Developed in the mid-20th century as a chemical reducing agent for hair relaxation and permanent wave treatments. It replaced older, more caustic methods of breaking down hair protein bonds and became the standard ingredient in chemical hair straightening products.