Is Dihydroxyacetic Acid safe in cosmetics?
Dihydroxyacetic Acid has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Moderate
Cosmetic Ingredient
Dihydroxyacetic Acid
INCI: DIHYDROXYACETIC ACID
Dihydroxyacetic Acid (CAS 563-96-2 (glyoxylic acid monohydrate / 2,2-dihydroxyacetic acid)) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Skin conditioning with keratin-smoothing properties; used in hair treatments. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
CAS Number
563-96-2 (glyoxylic acid monohydrate / 2,2-dihydroxyacetic acid)
View industrial chemical safety profile →
Function
Skin conditioning with keratin-smoothing properties; used in hair treatments
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Not specifically listed in 21 CFR prohibited/restricted; however FDA has issued warnings on formaldehyde-releasing hair-smoothing products
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Dihydroxyacetic Acid.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Dihydroxyacetic Acid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dihydroxyacetic Acid allowed in the EU?
Dihydroxyacetic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Dihydroxyacetic Acid do in cosmetics?
Dihydroxyacetic Acid functions as: Skin conditioning with keratin-smoothing properties; used in hair treatments. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 563-96-2 (glyoxylic acid monohydrate / 2,2-dihydroxyacetic acid).
Compliance Tools
Check Dihydroxyacetic Acid compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
Related Ingredients
1-Methylhydantoin-2-imide (Creatinine)
Excellent
Same category
Skin conditioning (skin brightening/l...
4-Amino-3-Hydroxybutyric Acid
Excellent
Same category
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Excellent
Same category
Skin conditioning agent with melanin ...
Acetyl Tripeptide-1
Excellent
Same category
Skin Conditioning
Acetylneuraminic Acid
Excellent
Same category
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Acetylphytosphingosine
Excellent
Same category
Skin Conditioning, Hair Conditioning;...
(20S)-Protopanaxadiol
Moderate
Similar safety
(Cryptomeria Japonica/Chamaecyparis Obtusa) Stem Ferment Extract
Moderate
Similar safety
Antimicrobial, antioxidant, humectant
(Licorice/Reynoutria Japonica) Root/Stem Extract
Moderate
Similar safety
Skin conditioning, antioxidant
(SH-Pentapeptide-10 6-Aminocaprooyl SH-Pentapeptide-11) SP
Moderate
Similar safety
Skin/hair conditioning (peptide-based...
1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-Octahydro-2,5,5-Trimethyl-2-Naphthol
Moderate
Similar safety
Fragrance ingredient
1,2,3,4,4a,7,8,8a-Octahydro-2,4a,5,8a-Tetramethyl-Naphthyl Formate
Moderate
Similar safety
Fragrance ingredient
Methyl Isopropyl Ketone
Moderate
Chemical family
Solvent - primarily an industrial sol...
DIHYDRO PENTAMETHYLINDANONE
Good
Browse nearby
Fragrance, Perfuming
DIHYDROGENATED TALLOW HYDROXYETHYLMONIUM METHOSULFATE
Good
Browse nearby
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning
Is Dihydroxyacetic Acid in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Dihydroxyacetic Acid in your formulation.