Glycine

AKA: 56-40-6, 2-Aminoacetic acid, Aminoacetic acid, Aminoethanoic acid, Glycocoll, Glycolixir, Glicoamin, Glycosthene, Aciport
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Amino Acid
Clean
OriginPlant-Derived
Glycine is a simple, nonessential amino acid, although experimental animals show reduced growth on low-glycine diets. The average adult ingests 3 to 5 grams of glycine daily. Glycine is involved in the body's production of DNA, phospholipids and collagen, and in release of energy. Glycine levels are effectively measured in plasma in both normal patients and those with inborn errors of glycine metabolism. Nonketotic hyperglycinaemia (OMIM 606899) is an autosomal recessive condition caused by deficient enzyme activity of the glycine cleavage enzyme system (EC 2.1.1.10). The glycine cleavage enzyme system comprises four proteins: P-, T-, H- and L-proteins (EC 1.4.4.2, EC 2.1.2.10 and EC 1.8.1.4 for P-, T- and L-proteins). Mutations have been described in the GLDC (OMIM 238300), AMT (OMIM 238310), and GCSH (OMIM 238330) genes encoding the P-, T-, and H-proteins respectively. The glycine cleavage system catalyses the oxidative conversion of glycine into carbon dioxide and ammonia, with the
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 64 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C2H5NO2
Mol. Weight
75.07
CAS #
56-40-6
Form
Powder
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dehydration
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Antistatic
Buffering
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Boosts collagen production
Locks in moisture
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Skin Irritant
7 studies / 7 not irritating (CIR 607)
Not a Sensitizer
6 studies / 6 not sensitizing (CIR 607)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
3 studies / 2 irritating / 1 not irritating / reactions weak (CIR 607)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.0007–4%
Rinse-off0.0005–4%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · report published 2013
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR