Potassium Glycolate
AKA “Potassium hydroxyacetate, Acetic acid, monopotassium salt, potassium salt (1:1), glycolic acid, RefChem:175484”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Potassium glycolate
AKA: Potassium hydroxyacetate, Acetic acid, Monopotassium salt, Potassium salt (1:1), Glycolic acid, RefChem:175484
Synthetic · Exfoliant · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Humectant
Exfoliant
Skin Conditioner
Chemical Exfoliant
Synthetic
Clean
A gentle chemical exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells and smooth skin texture for a brighter, more even complexion.
Formula
C2H3KO3
Mol. Weight
114.14
CAS #
1932-50-9
Form
Powder
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Exfoliant
Removes dead skin cells so fresh ones can come through. Chemical exfoliants (acids) are generally gentler than physical scrubs.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Shields from UV damage
Traditional Use
A modern exfoliating agent created by combining glycolic acid (derived from sugar cane) with potassium. Developed in the 1990s as part of the chemical exfoliant revolution in skincare.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Uneven Texture
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
4
CIR
Insufficient
Pregnancy
Caution
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Regulatory Agencies
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ammonium and Glyceryl Thioglycolates and Thioglycolic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Glycolic Acid, Ammonium, Calcium, Potassium, and Sodium Glycolates, Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, and Butyl Glycolates, and Lactic Acid, Ammonium, Calcium, Potassium,
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and Beta-Alanine Diacetic Acid as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Acetic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
RALGA (Diacneal), a retinaldehyde and glycolic acid assoc...
A D Katsambas
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland), 2005
The use of glycolic acid as a peeling agent.
H Murad, A T Shamban, P S Premo
Dermatologic clinics, 1995
Chitosan-Glycolic Acid Gel Modification of Chloride Ion T...
Olga Zavyalova, Dominika Dąbrowska-Wisłocka, Konrad Misiura, Iga Hołyńska-Iwan
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2023
Chitosan-Glycolic Acid Gel Modification of Chloride Ion T...
Olga Zavyalova, Dominika Dąbrowska-Wisłocka, Konrad Misiura, Iga Hołyńska-Iwan
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2023
Chitosan-Glycolic Acid Gel Modification of Chloride Ion T...
Olga Zavyalova, Dominika Dąbrowska-Wisłocka, Konrad Misiura, Iga Hołyńska-Iwan
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2023
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR