An alpha hydroxy acid used in exfoliating skincare and professionally supervised peels.
Sources: 1, 2Hydroxyacetic acid, AHA
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Glycolic Acid
What it does
Can improve surface smoothness in appropriately formulated products. Professional peels are not equivalent to daily cosmetics.
Sources: 1, 2Good for
- Rough surface texture
How to use it
Use a finished exfoliant as labeled, introduce it cautiously and follow appropriate sun-protection advice. Do not improvise professional peels at home.
Sources: 1, 2Who should be careful
May cause stinging, irritation and increased sun sensitivity. Follow sun-protection advice and avoid combining irritating regimens without guidance.
Sources: 1, 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Keep apart from
- Additional exfoliating products or irritating treatment steps
Combined use can increase irritation burden; this is a routine-tolerance caution, not a claim of universal chemical incompatibility.
When simultaneous use causes irritation or involves high-strength/low-pH products; follow product-specific or clinical directions.
Expert opinionSources: 1, 2
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Acid activity promotes shedding of surface cells; free-acid availability depends on formulation pH.
Sources: 1, 2Potential adverse effects
Over-exfoliation can cause burning, redness, peeling and subsequent pigmentation changes.
Sources: 1, 2Formulation considerations
Concentration and pH must be interpreted together. Do not use a consumer label to improvise a professional peel.
Sources: 1, 2Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1, 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
United States: consumer safety context
FDA alpha hydroxy acid guidance
AHA products can increase sun sensitivity; consider the FDA sunburn warning and distinguish consumer cosmetics from supervised peels.
Sources: 1Names on ingredient lists
glycolic acid
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 757 | PubChem compound 757: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C2H4O3 | PubChem compound 757: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 76.05 g/mol | PubChem compound 757: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (3)
Scientific sources
- FDA: Alpha hydroxy acids in cosmeticsregulatory safety guidance
- FDA: Risks of unsupervised high-strength chemical peelssafety guidance
- PubChem compound 757: chemical identitychemical identity
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