What is the NOAEL for Glycolic acid?
Glycolic acid has 48 NOAEL studies in the database. The lowest reported value is 1.53 mg/m3 via inhalation in Human. Source: ToxValDB_GESTIS_DNEL.
NOAEL Data
REACH Registered
Cosmetic Ingredient
Glycolic acid
Also known as: 2-hydroxyacetic acid, 4-03-00-00571, BRN 1209322, Caswell No. 470, EINECS 201-180-5 (+15 more)
CAS 79-14-1
Glycolic acid (CAS 79-14-1) is a chemical substance. Key regulatory status: REACH registered, 28 regulatory/inventory lists, cosmetic ingredient cross-reference; source data from EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, ECHA REACH, ILO ICSC.
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Glycolic acid is classified GHS Danger (H302, H314, H318, H332) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 10% at pH ≥3.5 (twice-daily leave-on); professional peel concentrations up to 50–75% under controlled conditions only.
SOURCE
Cross-vertical comparison
Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
SOURCE
noael studies public
NOAEL studies
48
SOURCE
chemical inventory jurisdictions
Regulatory lists
28
SOURCE
eu clp annex vi
GHS signal
Not classified
Chemical Identity
CAS, identifiers, formula, and alternate names for the matched substance record.
SOURCE
DSSTox identifiers
26 fields
Name
Glycolic acid
CAS Number
79-14-1
DTXSID
DTXSID0025363
Molecular Formula
C2H4O3
InChI Key
AEMRFAOFKBGASW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Monoisotopic Mass
76.016044
Synonyms
2-hydroxyacetic acid4-03-00-00571BRN 1209322Caswell No. 470EINECS 201-180-5EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 000101Kyselina glykolovaKyselina hydroxyoctovaUNII-0WT12SX38S2-HydroxyacetateGlyPure 70Glycolate
ICSC Chemical Safety
International Chemical Safety Card hazard and exposure summary.
SOURCE
ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards
1 records
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Short-term Effects | The substance is corrosive to the skin and eyes. The substance is irritating to the respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. The substance may cause effects on the kidneys. This may result in kidney failure. |
| Long-term Effects | Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. |
| Routes of Exposure | The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion. |
Functional Uses
Industrial and product-use categories associated with this substance.
SOURCE
EPA CPDat
60 records
pH regulating agentCleaning agentAbrasiveBiocideSoftener and conditioner
Regulatory Lists
Inventory, screening, and regulatory list matches from public chemical databases.
SOURCE
EPA CPDat
28 records
| List | Keyword | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pharmaceutical | US International Trade Commission | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | State of California | State of California |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | California Department of Pesticide Regulation | State of California |
| CEDI | FDA | United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
| Indirect additives food contact (10/2018) | FDA | United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| active_ingredient; Pesticides | MN Department of Agriculture Pesticide Sales Database | CPCat |
| Cleaning products and household care - oven - oven cleaner; Europe | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| Europe; Specialty occupational products | Danish Environmental Protection Agency | Danish EPA |
| Canada; pharmaceutical | DrugBank | DrugBank |
| Canada; pharmaceutical | DrugBank | DrugBank |
| active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides | Commission of the European Communities | CPCat |
| fracking; water | NY Department of Conservation | CPCat |
| inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides | EPA | CPCat |
NOAEL Studies
Toxicology endpoints rendered from public NOAEL study rows.
SOURCE
NOAEL studies
Showing 48 of 48 studies
| Value | Unit | Endpoint | Route | Species | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| =1.53 | mg/m3 | DNEL local | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB_GESTIS_DNEL |
| =10.56 | mg/m3 | DNEL systemic | inhalation | Human | ToxValDB_GESTIS_DNEL |
| 17.3 | unitless | Draize rabbit irritation score | Ocular | Rabbit | NTP_ICE_eye_irritation |
| 3 | unitless | EPA Classification | Ocular | Rabbit | NTP_ICE_eye_irritation |
| 0WT12SX38S | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 0WT12SX38S | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 0WT12SX38S | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 0WT12SX38S | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 2 | unitless | GHS Classification | Ocular | Rabbit | NTP_ICE_eye_irritation |
| 0.37 | %/sec | Intensity | Ocular | - | NTP_ICE_eye_irritation |
| 0.0071 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP_ICE_acute_inhalation |
| 3.6 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP_ICE_acute_inhalation |
| >5.2 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP_ICE_acute_inhalation |
| 7.7 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP_ICE_acute_inhalation |
| 14 | mg/L | LC50 | Inhalation | - | NTP_ICE_acute_inhalation |
| >1600 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_acute_oral |
| =1938 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_acute_oral |
| =1950 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_acute_oral |
| =2040 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_acute_oral |
| =2968 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_acute_oral |
| <3200 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_acute_oral |
| =4240 | mg/kg bw | LD50 | oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_acute_oral |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| 900 | mg/kg bw/day | LOEL | Oral | Rat | NTP_ICE_dart |
| - | s | Lag time | Ocular | - | NTP_ICE_eye_irritation |
| - | unitless | Model Score | - | - | NTP_ICE_endocrine |
| =150 | mg/kg bw/day | NOAEL | oral | Rat | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
| =150 | mg/kg | NOAEL | oral | rat | CIR_vision_codex |
| =150 | mg/kg | NOAEL | oral | rat | CIR_vision_codex |
| =150 | mg/kg | NOAEL | oral | rat | CIR_vision_codex |
| =150 | mg/kg | NOAEL | oral | rat | CIR_vision_codex |
| =250 | mg/kg day | NOAEL | - | rat | CIR_vision_codex |
| =250 | mg/kg day | NOAEL | - | rat | CIR_vision_codex |
| =250 | mg/kg day | NOAEL | - | rat | CIR_vision_codex |
| =250 | mg/kg day | NOAEL | - | rat | CIR_vision_codex |
| 3.7 | % | Plateau level | Ocular | - | NTP_ICE_eye_irritation |
Showing 48 of 48 studies
REACH Registration
Registration status from the ECHA REACH registered substances database.
SOURCE
ECHA (EU)
1 records
| Status | Name | EC Number | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered | Glycollic acid | 201-180-5 | ECHA overview → |
Cosmetic Safety Profile
Same-CAS cosmetic ingredient record for cross-vertical context.
SOURCE
CosIng / Ingredients DB
EU Status
restricted
Max
10% at pH ≥3.5 (twice-daily leave-on); professional peel concentrations up to 50–75% under controlled conditions only
Category
active
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS pharmaceutical records from drug and bioactivity sources.
SOURCE
EMBL-EBI ChEMBL
GLYCOLIC ACID
ChEMBL Phase
2
Adverse Events
437
Bioactivity
3
Cannabis Data
Same-CAS cannabis compliance and lab records where available.
SOURCE
Cannabis regulatory / lab data
efsa substances
1 cannabis record found in efsa substances.
View full cannabis profile →Frequently Asked Questions
What regulatory lists include Glycolic acid?
Glycolic acid appears on 10 regulatory/inventory lists including pharmaceutical, active_ingredient; Pesticides, CEDI, and 7 more. Source: EPA CPDat.
Is Glycolic acid used in cosmetics?
Yes, Glycolic acid is also indexed as a cosmetic ingredient under the name Glycolic Acid. View the full cosmetic safety profile on the ingredient page for detailed safety data, SCCS opinions, and regulatory status.
Where does the safety data for Glycolic acid come from?
Safety data is sourced from EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, EPA DSSTox, ECHA REACH, ILO/WHO ICSC, CosIng / Ingredients DB, ChEMBL / DailyMed, cannabis regulatory/lab databases. All data traces to primary regulatory sources and is updated from official government databases.
Does Glycolic acid have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Glycolic acid is classified GHS Danger (H302, H314, H318, H332) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 10% at pH ≥3.5 (twice-daily leave-on); professional peel concentrations up to 50–75% under controlled conditions only.
Is Glycolic acid used outside industrial chemicals?
Glycolic acid also appears in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, cannabis databases.