Thioglycolic acid is widely used in the cosmetics industry, particularly in hair care products. It serves as a key ingredient in hair perm solutions, depilatory creams, and hair straightening products. In hair perming and straightening, it breaks the disulfide bonds in keratin, allowing hair to be reshaped into curls, waves, or straight forms. For depilatory products, it weakens the keratin structure in hair, making it easy to remove from the skin.

In the chemical and manufacturing sectors, thioglycolic acid is utilized as a reducing agent and stabilizer in various processes. It is also employed in the production of PVC stabilizers, which enhance the thermal stability of PVC materials during processing and use, and in the synthesis of thioesters.

Additionally, it finds application in the textile industry as a reducing agent in dyeing processes and in the production of synthetic fibers, helping to improve color fastness, uniformity, and overall efficiency.

Its versatility and effectiveness make it a valuable compound across multiple industries.