Cosmetic and personal care ingredients
Salicylic acid vs glycolic acid
Salicylic acid (C7H6O3, CAS 69-72-7) and glycolic acid (C2H4O3, CAS 79-14-1) are both listed under other active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Salicylic acid has a molar mass of 138.12 g/mol, glycolic acid 76.05 g/mol.
Measured boiling points are 256 °C for salicylic acid and 100 °C for glycolic acid.
Both carry the GHS signal word Danger.
On CompoundList, 338 suppliers list salicylic acid and 245 suppliers list glycolic acid.
Data last updated 7 October 2026
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Name in our database | Salicylic acid | Glycolic acid |
| CAS number | 69-72-7 | 79-14-1 |
| Molecular formula | C7H6O3 | C2H4O3 |
| Molar mass | 138.12 g/mol | 76.05 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | 2-hydroxybenzoic acid | 2-hydroxyacetic acid |
| EC number | 200-712-3 | 201-180-5 |
| Physical properties | ||
| Appearance | White crystals, fine needles, or fluffy white crystalline powder | Colorless, translucent solid |
| Melting point | 159 °C | 78 to 80 |
| Boiling point | 256 °C | 100 °C |
| Density | 1.443 g/cm³ at 20 °C/4 °C | Relative density (water = 1): 1.49 |
| Flash point | 157 °C | Not recorded |
| Solubility | In water, 2,240 mg/L at 25 °C | Solubility in water: very good |
| LogP (octanol/water)Computed from the structure | 1.09 | -0.94 |
| Safety (GHS) | ||
| Signal word | Danger | Danger |
| Pictograms | ||
| Hazard statements |
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| UN number | Not recorded | UN 3261 |
| Uses and classification | ||
| Uses and functions |
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| Category | Pharmaceuticals and APIs › Other active pharmaceutical ingredients | Pharmaceuticals and APIs › Other active pharmaceutical ingredients |
| HS code | 291821Salicylic acid and its salts | 291819Carboxylic acids with alcohol function but without other oxygen function, their… |
| Market on CompoundList | ||
| Suppliers | 338 suppliers | 245 suppliers |
| Supplier countries | 49 countries, most in China, United States, India | 32 countries, most in United States, China, India |
| Price rangeOnly prices set by suppliers who manage their own profile | Price on request | Price 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.
Salicylic acid
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