Glycolic Acid Market

The global Glycolic Acid Market is valued at USD 499.4 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 862.9 Million by 2035 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 5.10% between 2025 and 2035.

Key highlights of Glycolic Acid Market

• The Glycolic Acid (GA) market gains traction as evidenced by a study showcasing the remarkable impact of a 70% GA peel performed bi-weekly compared to the daily use of a 15% GA cream in addressing atrophic acne scarring
• The Asia Pacific region generated more than 37.8% of revenue share in 2024
• The European region is expected to grow at the quickest rate from 2025 to 2035
• The Cosmetic grade segment accounted for the most significant market growth in 2024
• The Personal Care & Dermatology segment revealed the most significant market growth in 2024

Glycolic Acid Market: Regional Overview

Asia Pacific Dominated Sales with a 37.8% share in 2024 driven by its diverse cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and textiles applications. As an alpha hydroxy acid derived from natural sources like sugarcane, Glycolic Acid has been extensively used in skincare items, responding to the growing focus amongst Asian clients on the advantages of exfoliation in skin renewal. Its efficacy in removing dead pores and skin cells, unclogging pores, and skin tone has made it a sought-after component in facial cleansers, toners, lotions, and serums. The pharmaceutical sector in the region also contributes to this growth, employing Glycolic Acid as an active component in acne treatments, anti-aging creams, and chemical peels to address prevalent skin issues. Additionally, the textile industry in countries like China and India has played a significant role, utilizing Glycolic Acid for fabric dyeing and finishing to enhance dyeing efficiency, color fastness, and fabric properties. Taking China as an instance, its booming skincare and cosmetics market, encouraged by way of growing disposable income and changing lifestyles, has brought about a surge in the need for Glycolic Acid-primarily based skin care products.

The global Glycolic Acid market can be categorized as Grade, Application, and Region.

Glycolic Acid Market: Grade Overview

The cosmetic grade segment is experiencing potential market growth in 2024, owing to the increasing demand for skincare and haircare products such as chemical peels, anti-aging creams, and hair care products. Based on the Grade the market can be categorized into cosmetic grade and technical grade. The demand for cosmetic grade is driven by consumers' growing awareness of skincare, the adoption of innovative marketing strategies by leading companies, and a higher consciousness towards beauty. Additionally, the preference for sustainable, organic, and luxurious skincare products contributes to this market segments continued expansion. Furthermore, the market for cosmetic-grade Glycolic Acid is expanding as a result of growing consumer power and the acceptance of beauty trends in developing nations, especially those in the Asia Pacific area.

Glycolic Acid Market: Application Overview

The Glycolic Acid markets personal care and dermatology segment is experiencing rapid growth in 2024 due to several important factors. One of these reasons is the growing requirement for cosmetic products, such as solutions containing Glycolic Acid, chemical peels, and anti-aging creams. In addition, the increased awareness of skincare and the demonstrated advantages of Glycolic Acid in terms of enhancing the texture and appearance of the skin is propelling the growth. Leading dermatological and personal care companies have employed successful marketing methods, which have greatly increased consumer demand for products containing Glycolic Acid Glycolic Acid market. The need for Glycolic Acid has also been accelerated by factors such as urbanization, increased disposable income, and the growing enhancement of beauty trends in nations like China, India, and Japan. The growing consumer interest in skincare and personal grooming products that include Glycolic Acid to address problems like acne, hyperpigmentation, and aging is accelerating the segmental growth in recent years.

Key Trends

• In various industries, Glycolic Acid is increasingly used instead of mineral acids, particularly in products like cleaners for concrete and masonry. This change is motivated by the desire to avoid strong inorganic acids' harmful effects and corrosiveness. Glycolic Acid is highly effective at removing scale and has excellent chelation properties, making it a preferred option in industrial environments. This shift highlights a growing preference for safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives.
• The water treatment industry is experiencing a significant shift in using Glycolic Acid in different applications, such as cleaning chemicals for boilers, solutions to stimulate wells, and products for cleaning industrial processes. The qualities of Glycolic Acid, including its fast action, effectiveness in removing scale, lower corrosiveness, and ability to break down naturally, make it a favored choice for water treatment chemicals.
• Dermatologists are increasingly using Glycolic Acid in chemical peels for skin treatment. They typically use concentrations of Glycolic Acid ranging from 20% to 70%. There is a strong focus on improving the production of Glycolic Acid and ensuring safe and effective peel therapy. Additionally, researchers are exploring the combination of Glycolic Acid with other treatment methods to enhance skincare and dermatological treatments. This ongoing effort reflects a commitment to advancements in the field.
• The Glycolic Acid industry is changing as companies launch new products and engage in business deals. CrossChem Limiteds release of GlySmart, a specialized Glycolic Acid complex for sensitive skin, and The Chemours Companys agreement to sell its Glycolic Acid business to PureTech Scientific Inc. demonstrates how the market is constantly changing, and companies are trying to position themselves strategically.
• Glycolic Acid plays a significant role in the field of disinfection. The Chemours Company has introduced Glyclean D, a highly effective disinfectant that contains 70.0% Glycolic Acid. This product stands out because it can deactivate viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, Glyclean D is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, making it a sustainable choice in the disinfection market.

Premium Insights

Glycolic Acid (GA) emerges as a highly effective driver in the skincare sector, particularly for addressing various dermatological concerns. GA is a versatile solution for conditions such as acne, acne scars, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, photoaging, and seborrhea through chemical peeling. According to sources, Asian patients treated with 35% GA and 50% GA peels exhibited improved skin texture, reduced follicular pore size, and brighter skin, showcasing GAs potential as an adjunctive treatment for acne. Moreover, 70% GA effectively addressed comedonic, papulopustular, and nodular/cystic acne, with notable improvements in post-acne superficial scarring. GAs advantages include excellent patient tolerance and compliance. These findings position GA as a key driver in the skincare market, offering a reliable solution for a range of dermatological indications.

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Economic Insights

The Glycolic Acid (GA) market thrives due to its unique molecular properties and diverse applications. GAs small size permits it to penetrate deeper and bring faster outcomes, making it a desired preference for anti-aging lotions, pimple treatments, and exfoliating scrubs in personal and skincare products. It is also gaining prominence in industrial applications, replacing hydrochloric acid in concrete and masonry cleaners due to its rapid effectiveness and superior performance. GAs versatility extends to water treatment, electronics, metal surface treatment, and oil and gas industries, creating a multifaceted demand. Its biotechnological production and environmentally friendly attributes align with evolving consumer preferences for sustainable solutions, making the economic outlook optimistic. The markets landscape is evolving with strategic moves and business sales, indicating a transformative phase.

Competitive Landscape

In the Glycolic Acid market, notable companies are introducing innovative products and implementing strategic business strategies. CrossChem Limited recently launched GlySmart, a smart-release Glycolic Acid complex specifically designed for individuals with sensitive skin. This product lowers the risk of skin irritation in individuals with slightly higher skin pH levels by controlling the production of free acid through a special link between Glycolic Acid and arginine. On the other hand, the Chemours Company, a well-known organization with information in diverse sectors, is taking sizeable actions within the market. They have decided to sell their Glycolic Acid-related business to PureTech Scientific Inc. for USD 137 million. This acquisition will allow PureTech Scientific to become a global leader in producing ultra-high purity alpha hydroxy acids used in the specialty chemical and life sciences industries. This transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2023, pending regulatory approvals.

The players in the global Glycolic Acid market include Merck KGaA (Germany) among others.

Recent Market Developments

• In April 2023, CrossChem Limited introduced GlySmart, a smart-release Glycolic Acid complex that is specially designed for sensitive skin. GlySmart uses the di-pole bond between Glycolic Acid and arginine to effectively regulate the release of free acid, thereby reducing irritation in individuals with slightly higher skin pH levels.
• In August 2023, The Chemours Company agreed to sell its business associated with Glycolic Acid. The business will be sold to PureTech Scientific Inc. for a cash amount of USD 137 million. By acquiring this business, PureTech Scientific intends to become a prominent worldwide competitor in the creation of extremely pure alpha hydroxy acids through organic synthesis. This will allow them to cater to the specialty chemical and life sciences industries.