Sodium Glycolate

AKA: 2836-32-0, Sodium hydroxyacetate, Sodium 2-hydroxyacetate, Sodium glycollate, Sodium lycolate, Monosodium glycolate, Natriumglykolat, Glycolic acid, Monosodium salt, Glykokolan sodny
Synthetic
Chemical Exfoliant
Not Clean
Glycolic acid, monosodium salt
Formula
C2H3NaO3
Mol. Weight
98.03
CAS #
2836-32-0
Form
Powder
State
Liquid; Dry Powder
Functions
Buffering
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Fights Acne
Maintains optimal pH
Traditional Use
Created as the sodium salt of glycolic acid in the 20th century. Developed for use as a gentle chemical exfoliant in skincare; glycolic acid itself became popular in the 1990s as part of alpha hydroxy acid skincare treatments.
EWG
5
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Uneven Texture
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.
AHA Exfoliating Solution
Indie Lee
 →
The New Tendency Complete Set
Nécessaire
 →
Body Acid Serum
Josh Rosebrook
 →
Cleansing Essentials Travel Set
Goldfaden MD
 →
Clearing Mask
Indie Lee
 →
Daily Acid Toner
Josh Rosebrook
 →
Daily Acid Toner Set
Josh Rosebrook
 →
Detox & Clarify Collection
Goldfaden MD
 →
Detox Clarifying Facial Wash
Goldfaden MD
 →
The Essentials
Josh Rosebrook
 →
Golden Hour Body Serum
Ursa Major
 →
KP smoothing stick
Cocokind
 →
The New Tendency Duo
Nécessaire
 →
Ready, Set, Smooth
Goldfaden MD
 →
retinol face + body duo
Cocokind
 →
Brightening Bubbling Cleanser
Alpyn Beauty
 →
Double Polishing Peel
Alpyn Beauty
 →
Melt Moisturizer
Alpyn Beauty
 →
The Radiance Ritual
Alpyn Beauty
 →
AHA Exfoliating Solution
Indie Lee
 →
The Body Brush
Nécessaire
 →
The Body Exfoliator | Physical + Chemical
Nécessaire
 →
The Body Lotion 450 ml | Multi-Peptide
Nécessaire
 →
The Body Tool
Nécessaire
 →
The Body Wash 100 ml | Multi-Acid | Hinoki
Nécessaire
 →
Golden Hour Body Serum
Ursa Major
 →
smooth + hydrate body stick duo
Cocokind
 →
The Body Exfoliator | Physical + Chemical
Nécessaire
 →
The Body Tool
Nécessaire
 →
The Body Treatment Duo
Nécessaire
 →
The Body Wash Discovery Collection
Nécessaire
 →
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR