Glycolide

INCI: GLYCOLIDE

CAS Number
502-97-6
Function
Skin conditioning agent; cyclic diester precursor of glycolic acid
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted — no 21 CFR restriction

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
moderate
Sensitization
moderate

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Hydrolyzes to glycolic acid in aqueous environment; pH of final product must be controlled (CIR recommends pH ≥3.5 for glycolic acid ≤10%). Potential confusion with 1,4-dioxane (a contaminant) due to similar ring name—not the same substance. Limited direct human patch-test data.

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Concern Level: Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glycolide safe in cosmetics?

Hydrolyzes to glycolic acid in aqueous environment; pH of final product must be controlled (CIR recommends pH ≥3.5 for glycolic acid ≤10%). Potential confusion with 1,4-dioxane (a contaminant) due to similar ring name—not the same substance. Limited direct human patch-test data. The EU classifies Glycolide as "permitted". Safety rating: MODERATE.

Is Glycolide allowed in the EU?

Glycolide EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Glycolide do in cosmetics?

Glycolide functions as: Skin conditioning agent; cyclic diester precursor of glycolic acid. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 502-97-6.

What is the Margin of Safety for Glycolide?

not established The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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