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

Terms like hydroxy acids and microdermabrasion aside, exfoliation is nothing new.

From Washington Post

These tend to be to be gentler than hydroxy acids and may have anti-inflammatory properties.

From Washington Post

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

From Washington Post