IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Thioglycolic acid is a clear, colorless liquid with a strong, unpleasant odor. It is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, thioglycolates, permanent wave solutions, depilatories, and as a vinyl stabilizer.
Thioglycolic acid is widely used in depilatory application. It is also used for hair styling / hair removing application. Other than cosmetic it has application in oil drilling chemicals and in flotation process of mining application.
Ammonium and Glyceryl Thioglycolates and Thioglycolic Acid are used predominantly in cosmetic permanent waving lotions at concentrations up to 15.4% (as Thioglycolic Acid). At use concentrations, these cosmetic ingredients are only slightly toxic in acute single oral and dermal exposures.