Glycolic Acid (CAS 79-14-1) — Citrus Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Glycolic Acid
CAS 79-14-1
What Is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid is a small organic acid primarily known for its use in skincare products like chemical peels and exfoliants. Though odorless, it plays a key role in cosmetic formulations. This ingredient matters because it’s one of the most effective alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) for skin renewal, helping to improve texture and brightness in regulated concentrations.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Glycolic Acid Smell Like?
Glycolic acid is odorless in pure form, making it a neutral player in fragrance formulations. Its primary role is functional rather than olfactory, serving as a pH adjuster or solvent carrier in perfumery. When used in trace amounts, it doesn’t contribute to scent profiles but may influence the stability of other aromatic compounds.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: OCC(O)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Glycolic acid (C2H4O3) is the smallest alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), belonging to the carboxylic acid family. It’s synthesized industrially via the reaction of formaldehyde with carbon monoxide and water under high pressure, or through electrochemical reduction of oxalic acid. While it occurs naturally in sugarcane, beets, and fruits, commercial production is predominantly synthetic due to purity requirements for cosmetic use.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 100 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 79.5 °C |
| Density | 1.49 g/cm³ |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.02 mmHg |
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, ethyl ether |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics | 5-10% | Up to 70% (professional) | pH-dependent efficacy |
| Fragrance Carrier | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Solvent properties |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use glycolic acid primarily as a pH adjuster in fragrance bases rather than for olfactory properties.
Alternatives & Comparisons
A gentler AHA alternative when milder exfoliation is desired, with similar pH-adjusting properties in formulations.
Preferred for citrus-based fragrances where acidic notes are desirable, though less potent for skincare benefits.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA – primarily regulated as cosmetic ingredient rather than fragrance component.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM considers glycolic acid safe for use in cosmetics at current practice levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic production dominates due to purity requirements, though bio-based routes from sugarcane are emerging. The electrochemical synthesis method reduces environmental impact compared to traditional chemical routes. Proper pH adjustment in wastewater is crucial due to its acidity.
Explore Glycolic Acid
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for CID 757 (Glycolic Acid) PubChem 757
- Tran D et al. (2019). Glycolic acid peels. StatPearls Publishing. PMID 29494119
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID0025363
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 76.051 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.413 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 123 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 77.386 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 128.8 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.45 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 53.681 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -1.11 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | -2.766 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | -4.412 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.52 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 3.945 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.016 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 7.451 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 49.064 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 189.064 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 57.53 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 14.414 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 5.714 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
