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
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
Effective at 2.0%
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
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
Traditional Use
An amino acid discovered in gelatin in 1820 and later identified as a major amino acid in collagen. Historically used in skincare for its hydrating and skin-soothing properties, particularly in modern formulations targeting anti-aging and moisture retention.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
4e-06%
4.0%
0%100%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.000004-2 | 0.002-0.005 | 0.0005-4
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dehydration
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR