How we scored it
Where it comes from
Manufactured by addition of hydrogen sulfide to petrochemical acrylic acid (or a related chloropropionate route), used in perming and depilatory products. No commercially significant natural route exists.
In plain English
A synthetic sulfur-containing acid used in hair-waving/straightening and depilatory products to help break and reform the bonds that give hair its shape, and as an antioxidant.
Natural alternatives with the same function
A stabilised, water-soluble form of vitamin C used as an antioxidant and humectant in skincare. It is made…
Acacia Catechu Wood Extract 100% natural originAn extract of the heartwood of the black catechu tree, rich in plant polyphenols such as catechin. It…
Acer Palmatum Leaf Extract 100% natural originA plant extract from Japanese maple leaves, valued as an antioxidant. It's produced by simple extraction from the…
Achillea Millefolium Flower Extract 100% natural originAn extract made from yarrow flowers, a plant long used in traditional herbal preparations. Used to help condition…
Adenosine 100% natural originAdenosine is a naturally occurring compound found in all living cells, playing a vital role in energy transfer…
Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract 100% natural originAn extract from the horse chestnut tree, used to soothe and protect skin and tighten its surface feel.…
Structure
2-sulfanylpropanoic acid
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2Thiolactic Acid. PubChem CID 62326. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
- 3THIOLACTIC ACID. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 4THIOLACTIC ACID. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=THIOLACTIC%20ACID