Glyceryl monothioglycolate is a thioglycolate ester resulting from esterification of thioglycolic acid with glycerol.
Definition
US FDA substance register · UNII 0FWE72AF2P · registered name GLYCERYL MONOTHIOGLYCOLATE · mixture
Glyceryl monothioglycolate is a thioglycolate ester resulting from esterification of thioglycolic acid with glycerol. As a component of developer solutions in permanent wave products, it is the second most frequent allergen in hairdressers and avoidance of acid permanent waves is mandatory. It has a role as an allergen.
Source: PubChem
Mercaptoacetic acid, monoester with propane-1,2,3-triol
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
- Restricted
- China
Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information
Argentina · Brazil
- Field of application and/or use : Products for straightening or waving hair: 1. General use 2. Professional use
- Maximum concentration permitted at final product : 1. 8% ready to use pH 6 to 9,5 2.11% ready to use pH 6 to 9.5 The percentages are calculated as thioglycolic acid
- Other limitations and requirements : 1) and 2) In the USAGE must consist obligatorily the following information: - May cause sensitization by skin contact. - Avoid contact with eyes. - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately and thoroughly with water and consult a doctor. - Wear suitable gloves
- Use conditions and warnings that must appear on the label : 1) and 2) Contains thioglycolate Follow the instructions Keep out of reach of children. For professional use only (if applicable)
ASEAN
- Field of application and/or use : Hair waving or straightening products: 1. General use 2. Professional use
- Maximum authorised concentration in the finished cosmetic product : 1. 8% ready for use at pH 6-9.5 2. 11% ready for use at pH 6-9.5 Percentages calculated as thioglycolic acid.
- Other limitations and requirements : The directions for use drawn up in the national or official language(s) must obligatorily incorporate the following sentences: • May cause sensitisation in the event of skin contact. • Avoid contact with eyes. • In the event of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. • Wear suitable gloves.
- Conditions of use and warning which must be printed on the labels : • Contains thioglycolate. • Follow the instructions. • Keep out of reach of children. • For professional use only.
European Union
- Product Type, body parts : Hair waving or straightening products
- Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : (a) 8% (b) 11% The abovementioned percentages are calculated as thioglycollic acid
- Other : (a) General use ready for use pH 6 to 9.5 (b) Professional use ready for use pH 6 to 9.5
- Wording of conditions of use and warnings : Conditions of use: (a) (b) May cause sensitization in the event of skin contact Avoid contact with eyes In the event of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice Wear suitable gloves Warnings: Contains thioglycolate Follow the instructions Keep out of reach of children (b) For professional use only
Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information
Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist · prohibited in cosmetics
Restriction III/2b
Source: EU CosIng ingredient list
Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ammonium and Glyceryl Thioglycolates and Thioglycolic Acid
Reviewed by CIR: Final Amended Report on the Safety Assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl Thioglycolate, Glyceryl Thioglycolate, Isooctyl Thioglycolate, Isopropyl Thioglycolate, Magnesium Thioglycolate, Methyl Thioglycolate, Potassium Thioglycolate, Sodium Thioglycolate, and Thioglycolic Acid
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name チオグリコール酸グリセリル: 本品は、チオグリコール酸(*)とグリセリン(*)のモノエステルであり、次の化学式で表される。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 30618-84-9
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 250-264-8
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID2027965
Measured properties
- Appearance
- Colorless viscous liquid with a mild sulfurous odor, [Lanza Research MSDS]
Values measured on the substance itself, not a specification for a commercial raw material.
Source: PubChem
What products actually use it for
What the 1 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.
- Hair waving or straightening (EPA)1
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Irritation and sensitisation studies
6 skin studies and 2 eye studies are on record.
The studies disagree (the most common conclusion covers 25%), so they do not establish that this ingredient is irritating. These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.
See all 8 studies
- Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to - SkinSens1
Skin Sensitization · QSAR Predicted - Sh
Skin Sensitization · Authoritative - Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation) - High Frequency of Sensitization
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation) - Category 6.3A (Category 2)
Skin Irritation · Read Across - Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to - Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- Potassium peroxymonosulfate‐induced dermatitis in a sheep farmer · 1999
- P-Phenylenediamine-Induced Angioedema-like Facies: A Case Report and Review of Pathomechanisms. · 2026
- North American Contact Dermatitis Group Patch Test Results: 2009 to 2010 · 2013
- Final Amended Report on the Safety Assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl Thioglycolate, Glyceryl Thioglycolate, Isooctyl Thioglycolate, Isopropyl Thioglycolate, Magnesium Thioglycolate, Methyl Thioglycolate, Potassium Thio · 2009
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ammonium and Glyceryl Thioglycolates and Thioglycolic Acid · 1991
Linked databases 19
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Inventory (AICIS)
- ChEBI
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information 2 3
- PubChem 2
- Tlooto literature search 2 3 4 5
- UniChem cross-reference IDs
- US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) 2 3
- US EPA CompTox dashboard
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS)
- US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)
- Wikidata