SHEET /m/glycolic-acid · PubChem CID 757 · CAS 79-14-1 · REV 2026.07
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Glycolic acid
from sourceC2H4O3 · 76.05 g/mol
hydroxyacetic acid · hydroxyethanoic Acid · alpha-hydroxyacetic acid · α-hydroxyacetic acid
What is Glycolic acid?
The smallest alpha hydroxy acid, from sugar cane. Its small size lets it get through skin easily, which is why it is the workhorse of chemical peels. from source
CategoryEveryday chemistry
Fig. 1 · 2D structure RDKit
SMILES
C(C(=O)O)ORelative acute toxicity from source
Animal study data · LD50
- Reported LD50
- 1,950 mg/kg · low toxicity
- Species
- rat
- Route
- oral
An LD50 describes acute toxicity under experimental conditions and is not a safe or dangerous dose for a person.
Toxicity & hazards
Toxicity · LD50
1,950 mg/kg · low toxicity · LD50 rat oral from source
3 more reported values
- 1,920 mg/kgLD50 · oral · guinea pig
- 4,240 mg/kgLD50 · oral · rat
- 1,000 mg/kgLD50 · iv · cat
DangerCorrosiveIrritantHealth hazardH302, H314, H318, H332, H333, H361, H370, H373, H402from source
Keep roaming
Where Glycolic acid leads
Relatedcomputed
Succinic acid50% similarBoth carry a carboxylic acid group.Dihydroxyacetone50% similarBoth carry an alcohol group.Glycine46% similarBoth carry a carboxylic acid group.Propionic acid46% similarBoth carry a carboxylic acid group.Citric acid41% similarBoth carry an alcohol and a carboxylic acid group.Azelaic acid40% similarBoth carry a carboxylic acid group.