Korean: 치오글라이콜릭애씨드 · Functions: antioxidant, depilatory, hair waving or straightening, reducing
Restricted MFDS restricted ingredients
Conditions (official MFDS text, Korean):
* 배합한도 : ∙ 퍼머넌트웨이브용 및 헤어스트레이트너 제품에 치오글라이콜릭애씨드로서 11%
(다만, 가온2욕식 헤어스트레이트너 제품의 경우에는 치오글라이콜릭애씨드로서 5%, 치오글라이콜릭애씨드 및 그 염류를 주성분으로 하고 제1제 사용 시 조제하는 발열 2욕식 퍼머넌트웨이브용 제품의 경우 치오글라이콜릭애씨드로서 19%에 해당하는 양)
∙ 제모용 제품에 치오글라이콜릭애씨드로서 5%
∙ 염모제에 치오글라이콜릭애씨드로서 1%
∙ 사용 후 씻어내는 두발용 제품류에 2%
∙ 기타 제품에는 사용금지
Source: MFDS — cosmetic ingredient use restrictions · checked Oct 17, 2026
Restricted Annex III/2a
Maximum: (a) (i) 8% (ii) 11% (b) 5% (c) 2% (d) 11% The abovementioned percentages are calculated as thioglycollic acid
Conditions: Product type: (a) Hair products (b) Depilatories (c) Hair rinse-off products (d) Products intended for eyelash waving (a) (i) General use ready for use pH 7 to 9.5 (ii) Professional use ready for use pH 7 to 9.5 (b) ready for use pH 7 to 12.7 (c) ready for use pH 7 to 9.5 (d) ready for use pH 7 to 9,5
Required label warning: Conditions of use: (a) (b) (c) (d) Avoid contact with eyes Rinse eyes immediately if product comes into contact with them. (a) (c) (d) Wear suitable gloves Warnings to be printed on the label: (a)(i) (b) (c) Contains thioglycolate Follow the instructions Keep out of reach of children (a)(ii) (d) For professional use only Contains thioglycolate Follow the instructions’
Source: EU CosIng — Annex III · checked Oct 17, 2026
No specific rule on file. The FDA regulates few cosmetic ingredients by name; no rule does not mean approval.
How Thioglycolic Acid is treated in 6 more markets, from the overseas cosmetic regulation database compiled by Korea's MFDS. Always confirm with the regulator of that country before selling there.
| Market | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| CN China | Restricted | MFDS summary (Korean): * 【제한】 적용 및 사용범위 : (a)퍼머제품 1. 일반용 2. 전문용 (b)탈모제품 (c)기타 씻어내는 두발제품 * 【화장품 중 최대사용농도】 배합한도 (일반) : (a) 1.총량 8%（치오글리콜산으로 계산）， pH7-9.5 2.총량 11%（치오글리콜산으로 계산），pH7-9.5 (b)총량 5%（치오글리콜산으로 계산），pH7-12.7 (c)총량 2%（치오글리콜산으로 계산），pH7-9.5 * 라벨에 반드시 표기해야하는 사용조건과 주의사항 : (a)치오글리콜산염 함유; 설명에 의거하여 사용함; 어린이 손에 닿지... |
| AS ASEAN (10 countries) | Restricted | MFDS summary (Korean): * 【Restrictions】 Field of application and/or use : (a) Hair waving or straightening products: 1. General use 2. Professional use (b) Depilatories (c) Other hair care products which are removed after application * 제한 【사용 범위】 : (a) 헤어 웨이빙 또는 스트레이트닝 제품 : 1. 일반 사용에서 2. 전문가용에서 (b) 제모제 (c)... |
| TW Taiwan | Restricted | MFDS summary (Korean): ※ 染髮、脫色、脫染及燙髮產品之應刊載之注意事項，應依衛生福利部公告刊載之。 ※ 染髮產品之限量標準：係指該成分依產品使用說明書混合後之最高允許使用量。 ※ 化粧品之外包裝或容器，應明顯標示本表所列成分之注意事項。因外包裝或容器表面積過小或其他特殊情形致不能標示者，應於標籤、仿單或以其他方式刊載之。 ※ 本表所稱之口腔製劑，包含非藥用牙膏、漱口水類及美白牙齒類等化粧品。 ※ 化粧品宣稱效能者，須符合化粧品標示宣傳廣告涉及虛偽誇大或醫療效能認定準則規定。 * 단서조항 : ※ 染髮、脫色、脫染及燙髮產品之應刊載之注意事項，應依衛生福利部公告刊載之。 ※... |
| CA Canada | Restricted | 【Restrictions】 Conditions of Use by product type : (a) Eyelash curling products (b) Hair dyes, waving or straightening products (c) Hair dyes, waving or straightening products for professional use (d) Depilatory products 【Restrictions】 Maximum Concentration Permitted : ((a) 11% (as thioglycolic aci(d) with a pH less than or equal to 9.5 (b) 8% (as thioglycolic aci(d) with a pH less than or... |
| BR Brazil | Restricted | MFDS summary (Korean): * Restrictions 【Field of application and/or use】 : (a) Products for hair straightening or waving: 1. General use 2. Professional use (b) Depilatories (c) Other products for hair care which are removed after application * 제한 【사용 범위】 : (a) 헤어 스트레이트닝 또는 웨이빙 제품에 1. 일반사용에서 2. 전문가용에서 (b)... |
| AR Argentina | Restricted | MFDS summary (Korean): * Restrictions 【Field of application and/or use】 : (a) Products for hair straightening or waving: 1. General use 2. Professional use (b) Depilatories (c) Other products for hair care which are removed after application * 제한 【사용 범위】 : (a) 헤어 스트레이트닝 또는 웨이빙 제품에 1. 일반사용에서 2. 전문가용에서 (b)... |
Source: MFDS cosmetic ingredient use restrictions — overseas regulations · checked Oct 17, 2026
THIOGLYCOLIC ACID 치오글라이콜릭애씨드
Information only, not medical advice. Rules change — always check the linked official source. If you are pregnant, have a skin condition or allergies, ask a dermatologist or pharmacist.
In the EU's CosIng records it is listed as “Restricted” (EU CosIng — Annex III). The maximum allowed is (a) (i) 8% · (ii) 11% · (b) 5% · (c) 2% · (d) 11%. A restricted ingredient is allowed within the stated conditions.
In Korea's MFDS records it is listed as “Restricted” (MFDS — cosmetic ingredient use restrictions). A restricted ingredient is allowed within the stated conditions.
We found no specific rule for it in the FDA's records. That is not an approval or a safety statement.
The EU's CosIng inventory lists its functions as: antioxidant, depilatory, hair waving or straightening, reducing.
Korea's MFDS standard Korean name is 치오글라이콜릭애씨드.