alpha hydroxyl acid
Meaning of alpha hydroxyl acid: Alpha hydroxyl acids are naturally occurring organic acids used in skin care to promote surface cell turnover and improve skin texture.
Definition of alpha hydroxyl acid
Alpha hydroxyl acids are a group of naturally occurring organic acids found in various fruits, milk, and sugarcane. Common examples include glycolic acid, derived from sugarcane, lactic acid, found in milk, and citric acid, found in citrus fruits.
In skin care products, alpha hydroxyl acids are used as chemical exfoliants that loosen the bonds between dead cells on the skin's surface, encouraging their shedding and promoting the turnover of newer skin cells underneath. This action is used to address concerns such as rough texture, fine lines, and uneven pigmentation.
Because alpha hydroxyl acids remove surface skin cells, treated skin can become more sensitive to sunlight, making sun protection an important consideration during use. Alpha hydroxyl acids are also known by the abbreviation AHA and, informally, as fruit acids, reflecting their common natural sources.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
The patient reported increased sun sensitivity while using a skin care product containing alpha hydroxyl acid.
Good to know
Skin treated with alpha hydroxyl acids becomes more sensitive to sunlight because the surface layer of dead cells that normally offers some protection is being actively removed.
Word origin
Where “alpha hydroxyl acid” comes from
Formed from Greek hydor, meaning water, and oxys, meaning sharp or acid, the roots that also form hydroxyl, describing the chemical group these compounds share.