Sodium glycolate

Sodium glycolate (CAS 2836-32-0), also known as sodium 2-hydroxyacetate, is the sodium salt of glycolic acid; it acts as a buffering agent, chelant, and humectant.

Where is Sodium glycolate used?

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: buffering excipient in topical and injectable formulations, maintaining pH stability throughout shelf life
• Cosmetics: moisture retention and performance enhancement of actives in exfoliating serums, moisturizers, and cleansers
• Industrial and personal care cleaning: chelating agent that sequesters calcium and magnesium ions, improving surfactant efficiency in hard water
• Food-grade applications: acidity regulator in processed food systems requiring precise pH control
• It regulates pH and binds metal ions in formulations where stability and moisture retention matter.

Good to know: Pharmaceutical-grade material conforms to USP or Ph. Eur. specifications where required for high-purity compliance.

Commercial specifications

• Packaging in kilogram quantities for laboratory and formulation use, scaling to bulk supply