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Cosmetic and personal care ingredients

Lactic acid vs glycolic acid

Lactic acid (C3H6O3, CAS 50-21-5) and glycolic acid (C2H4O3, CAS 79-14-1) are both listed under carboxylic acids and anhydrides.

Lactic acid has a molar mass of 90.08 g/mol, glycolic acid 76.05 g/mol.

Measured boiling points are 122 °C for lactic acid and 100 °C for glycolic acid.

Both carry the GHS signal word Danger.

On CompoundList, 440 suppliers list lactic acid and 245 suppliers list glycolic acid.

Data last updated 7 October 2026

Lactic acid and glycolic acid compared side by side
Lactic acid chemical structure, C3H6O3, CAS 50-21-5
Lactic acid
Glycolic acid chemical structure, C2H4O3, CAS 79-14-1
Glycolic acid
Identity
Name in our databaseLactic acidGlycolic acid
CAS number50-21-579-14-1
Molecular formulaC3H6O3C2H4O3
Molar mass90.08 g/mol76.05 g/mol
IUPAC name2-hydroxypropanoic acid2-hydroxyacetic acid
EC number200-018-0201-180-5
Physical properties
AppearanceCrystals (melt at 16.8 °C)Colorless, translucent solid
Melting point16.8 °C78 to 80
Boiling point122 °C100 °C
Density1.2060 g/cm³ at 21 °CRelative density (water = 1): 1.49
Flash point113 °CNot recorded
SolubilityCompletely soluble in waterSolubility in water: very good
LogP (octanol/water)Computed from the structure-0.55-0.94
Safety (GHS)
Signal wordDangerDanger
Pictograms
GHS05: Corrosive
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
GHS05: Corrosive
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Hazard statements
  • H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
  • H315 Causes skin irritation.
  • H318 Causes serious eye damage.
  • H302 Harmful if swallowed.
  • H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
  • H318 Causes serious eye damage.
  • H332 Harmful if inhaled.
UN numberUN 3265UN 3261
Uses and classification
Uses and functions
  • Humectants
  • Skin conditioning agents
  • Acidulants and acidity regulators
  • Acidifiers
  • Daphnia magna metabolite
  • Daphnia metabolite
  • Anti-HSV agent
  • Antimicrobial agent
  • Antiviral agent
  • Dermatologic drug
  • Keratolytic drug
  • Metabolite
CategoryCosmetic ingredients › HumectantsPharmaceuticals and APIs › Other active pharmaceutical ingredients
HS code291811Lactic acid, its salts and esters291819Carboxylic acids with alcohol function but without other oxygen function, their…
Market on CompoundList
Suppliers440 suppliers245 suppliers
Supplier countries61 countries, most in China, United States, India32 countries, most in United States, China, India
Price rangeOnly prices set by suppliers who manage their own profilePrice on requestPrice on request

Measured and computed values as shown on each chemical page, plus live listings on CompoundList. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Safety data is a summary, not an SDS.

Lactic acid
Glycolic acid

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