Cosmetic chemistry resource for glycolic acid.
A working reference for cosmetic chemists, formulators, and brand owners developing glycolic acid products in Australia.
Glycolic acid is generally pH-stable but vulnerable to oxidation in transparent packaging. Aluminium-lined or opaque PET reduces colour shift; aim for ≤0.3 pH drift over 12-month accelerated stability.
- • 12-mo accelerated testing
- • Aluminium / opaque PET
- • Antioxidant pairing (e.g. 0.05–0.1% Na₂EDTA)
At a pKa of 3.83, only ~50% of glycolic exists in its un-ionised, bioavailable form at pH 3.83. Drop one pH unit and bioavailability rises to ~91%. Buffer with NaOH or arginine; AU cosmetic guidance recommends pH ≥3.5 OTC.
- • Henderson–Hasselbalch governed
- • Buffer with NaOH or arginine
- • Use the free-acid calculator
Glycolic acid USP/cosmetic grade is widely supplied in Australia. Common suppliers stock 70% solutions for dilution; partial-neutralised systems (ammonium glycolate) trade lower irritation for lower free-acid availability.
- • 70% USP base stock
- • Ammonium glycolate options
- • INCI: Glycolic Acid (CAS 79-14-1)
Formulation articles
6 piecesHow cosmetic-grade glycolic acid is produced, purified, and quality-controlled.
Practical guidance for formulating stable, tolerable glycolic acid products at 5–15%.
Why pH controls everything — efficacy, tolerance, and regulatory compliance in Australia.
Light, oxygen, metals, and pH drift — the four enemies of a stable glycolic formula.
Which preservative systems hold up at the low pH required for active AHA formulas.
A primer on building leave-on and rinse-off AHA products from scratch.
Take your formulation to production.
Confidential brief routed to our Australian contract-manufacturing partner. Suited to launches between 1k–50k units.