Alpha-hydroxy is a chemical compound derived from fruit and milk sugars.

Alpha hydroxy acids, also known as AHAs, are found in some cosmetics. The claim for alpha hydroxy acids is that they reduce wrinkles and improve the look and feel of one's skin.

An alpha hydroxy acid is a carboxylic acid having a hydroxyl group substituted to the adjacent carbon (ex. glycolic acid -OHCH2COOH.

In organic chemistry, an alpha-hydroxy acid is a hydroxy acid, of general formula RCH(OH)COOH, whose primary use is in the cosmetic industry, supposedly possessing the property of reducing wrinkles.

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