A hair styling ingredient with hair straightening activity. The carboxylic and aldehyde groups of glyoxylic acid react with the amine groups present in hair keratin producing semipermanent hair straightening without breaking the cystine disulfide bridge. It provides a long lasting, relaxing effect on hair without causing damage to the hair and scalp irritations.

Glyoxylic acid is high purity cosmetic grade with only a trace content of glyoxal and without formaldehyde. This allows formulators to use levels up to 25% in hair straightening cosmetics without exceeding the maximum permitted level of glyoxal established by EU & other cosmetic regulations.

Glyoxylic acid is suitable in hair straightening formulations to smooth wavy & tightly curly hair. When applied with a flat iron (220°C) it softens natural curls providing a shiny, silky appearance and improving hair combability.

Glyoxylic acid is also used as buffering agent.