Calcium Thioglycolate

AKA: 814-71-1, Acetic acid, Calcium salt (2:1), Ebacream, Depil, Calcium thioglycollate, Calcium mercaptoacetate, Jully, Vikor, Calcium bis(mercaptoacetate)
Synthetic
Rx Active
Not Clean
Based on the available data, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that ... Calcium 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. Calcium Thioglycolate in depilatories is safe when formulated to be non-irritating under conditions of recommended use.
Solubility Prismatic rod crystals. Odorless or faint mercaptan odor; somewhat astringent and fetid taste. Slowly loses H2O above 95 °C, darkens at 220 °C and partially fuses with decompn at 280-290 °C. Sol in water; very slightly sol in alcohol, chloroform; practically insol in ether, petr ether, benzene. Solns readily absorb CO2 from air, percipitating CaCO3. /Trihydrate/
Formula
C4H6CaO4S2
Mol. Weight
222.30
CAS #
814-71-1
Form
Powder
State
White solid; [HSDB] Faintly beige powder; [MSDSonline]
Functions
Depilatory
Keratolytic
A pharmaceutical-grade active. These are the heavy hitters — often prescription-strength or regulated for potency.
Reducing
Supports cell turnover
Unclogs pores
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a reducing agent used in chemical hair straightening and permanent wave treatments.
EWG
5
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
ewg-5
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Mild Irritant
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUpermitted
JAPANpermitted
CANADApermitted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR