hydroxy acid

noun

1. an organic acid containing both a carboxyl and a hydroxyl group.
2. any of a class of organic acids containing a hydroxyl group and showing properties of both an alcohol and an acid.

hydroxy acid

noun

1. any acid, such as sulphuric acid, containing hydroxyl groups in its molecules
2. any of a class of carboxylic acids that contain both a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group in their molecules

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydroxy acid¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

But many of its bestsellers, which cost about £60 each, contain exfoliators such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids and vitamin-A derivative retinol.

From BBC

What’s more, Dr. Gonzalez said, many consumers play “chemist” with these formats, mixing them with other ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids and retinol that can dilute the formula and, in some cases, render it unstable.

From New York Times

“This means chemical exfoliants like hydroxy acids and physical exfoliation with any brushes, towels, pads.”

From Washington Post

Chemical exfoliants usually use hydroxy acids to dissolve the bond between skin cells, loosening dead skin for removal.

From Washington Post

It is so named because glycolic acid is one of a group of alpha hydroxy acids.

From BBC