murphyCalcium 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
OriginSynthesized from thioglycolic acid and calcium compounds through acid-base neutralization reactions. Produced by combining thioglycolic acid with calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate to form the calcium salt.
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]
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
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
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.
EWG
5
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Eye Irritant in Testing
2 studies / 2 irritating / reactions severe (CIR 347)
Skin Irritant in Testing
1 study / 1 irritating / reactions moderate / plus 1 case report (CIR 347)
Sensitizer in Testing
1 study / 1 sensitizing (CIR 347)
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR