Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of naturally occurring organic acids characterized by a hydroxyl group on the carbon adjacent to the carboxylic acid group. They are found in foods and plants and include glycolic acid (from sugar cane), lactic acid (from sour milk), malic acid (from apples), citric acid (from …

Curated from this journal's research 📚 1 peer-reviewed article cited Cited 6× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2328-0182 🗓 Reviewed July 2026

Overview

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of naturally occurring organic acids characterized by a hydroxyl group on the carbon adjacent to the carboxylic acid group. They are found in foods and plants and include glycolic acid (from sugar cane), lactic acid (from sour milk), malic acid (from apples), citric acid (from citrus fruits), and tartaric acid (from grapes). In pharmaceutical and cosmetic science, AHAs are valued chiefly for their ability to loosen the bonds between corneocytes in the outer layer of the skin, promoting exfoliation, smoothing texture, and improving the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and photoaged skin. The depth and intensity of their action depend on concentration, pH, and the specific acid used, which is why formulation matters in advanced delivery systems. Beyond topical skincare, related acids have roles in chemistry, food processing, and as building blocks in synthesis. Advanced Pharmaceutical Science And Technology, the OpenAccessPub journal hosting this page, publishes peer-reviewed, open-access research across drug development, formulation, and pharmaceutical chemistry. This page gathers open-access scholarship relevant to alpha hydroxy acids and their applications in pharmaceutical and dermatological science.

Research published in this journal

1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 1 article above has been cited 6 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Alpha Hydroxy Acids, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Advanced Pharmaceutical Science And Technology (ISSN 2328-0182).

Journal editorial board
natalia malara · Italy Saba Khalilpour · Italy Haseeb Khan · United States

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.