How to Use alpha hydroxy acid in a Sentence

alpha hydroxy acid

noun
  • The standout feature is alpha hydroxy acid, which is known for increasing cell turnover so hands will stay smooth.
    — cleveland, 27 Mar. 2020
  • Then there’s hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide, and alpha hydroxy acids.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Beta hydroxy acids break down the bridges/bonds between the cells, while alpha hydroxy acids cause the cells themselves to detach/release.
    — Alexandra Tunell, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Dec. 2015
  • Pick-me-ups enhanced with alpha hydroxy acid and moisturizing ingredients are just what these rainy days need.
    — Meg Hemphill, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2020
  • Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and urea are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that loosen and shed old skin cells.
    — Lacey Muinos, Health, 18 July 2023
  • Examples include hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and alpha hydroxy acid.
    — Brittany Johnson, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2023
  • Brighter, smoother, clearer, firmer skin—the benefits of alpha hydroxy acids for skin almost sound comparable to those of retinol and retinoids.
    — Emily Orofino, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025
  • The secret sauce is a cocktail of four alpha hydroxy acids and one beta hydroxy acid (hence the name), which is infused into the first of the product’s two steps.
    — Emily Orofino, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Avoid products containing potent alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and retinol, Galamgam said.
    — Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The formula also features alpha hydroxy acids—lactic and glycolic acids—and squalane and niacinamide to hydrate and calm the skin.
    — Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Glycolic acid—an alpha hydroxy acid that comes from sugar cane—is a two-in-one solution for combating acne and clearing wrinkles.
    — Nicole Cain Nd, Ma, Health, 27 Apr. 2023
  • Common options include retinol or retinaldehyde for fine lines and texture, and alpha hydroxy acids, used sparingly, for dullness.
    — Allison Palmer updated February 25, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Three forms of exfoliation — sea salt crystals, alpha hydroxy acids, and pomegranate enzymes — boost cell turnover for clearer, glowier skin.
    — Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
  • Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from bitter almonds.
    — Devon Abelman, Allure, 30 Mar. 2022
  • One of Dermstore's bestsellers, this daily under eye cream is packed with fine line–fighting ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids and hyaluronic acid to plump skin.
    — Kathleen Mulpeter, Health.com, 27 Mar. 2018
  • Apply a serum with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), fruit acids that gently exfoliate skin to reveal fresh, younger cells.
    — Melissa Matthews, Woman's Day, 24 Aug. 2015
  • Amino acids don’t react well on their own to create peptides, but a mixture of amino acids and another, strikingly similar compound (alpha hydroxy acids) does.
    — Quanta Magazine, 16 Sep. 2019
  • Ingredients like vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids aid with hydration.
    — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
  • This is an alpha hydroxy acid (or AHA) often found in exfoliating products.
    — Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 13 Sep. 2024
  • This liquid exfoliant contains a blend of fruit alpha hydroxy acids and niacinamide that gently resurface the skin to reveal a smoother complexion and minimized pores.
    — Annie Blackman, Allure, 25 Nov. 2024
  • Such cell-sloughing is inherent to all alpha hydroxy acids—yet lactic acid is, in many ways, in a league of its own (hence its presence in all AmLactin products).
    — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 22 May 2026
  • This liquid exfoliant contains a blend of fruit alpha hydroxy acids and niacinamide, which gently resurfaces skin to reveal a smoother complexion and less noticeable pores.
    — Annie Blackman, Allure, 30 Nov. 2024
  • Suited for sensitive skin, Ren’s gel cream steers clear of exfoliating agents, such as alpha hydroxy acids, that could cause irritation.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024
  • For instance, a product containing alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is essential for achieving even and clear skin.
    — Larry Stansbury, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
  • One such ingredient is mandelic acid, a gentle alpha hydroxy acid that’s known to kill bacteria on the skin (though the mechanism of how isn’t entirely clear to researchers).
    — Amanda Schupak, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
  • The 10 percent vegan lactic acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that works to slough away dead skin cells for a brighter, more even complexion.
    — Stephanie Perry, Southern Living, 18 May 2021
  • For those unfamiliar, lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (or AHA) that boosts cell turnover and sweeps away pore-clogging debris to reveal brighter, smoother skin.
    — Sarah Han, Allure, 28 July 2021
  • On one night, use anti-aging solutions such as retinoids, alpha hydroxy acid or glycolic acid -- whether prescription or over-the-counter -- then skip a night or two, depending on the dryness of your skin.
    — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 5 June 2021
  • For those unfamiliar, AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acids and includes glycolic, lactic, and citric acids.
    — Devon Abelman, Allure, 8 May 2019
  • But after smoothing on the liquid every other day for a few months, her skin rapidly cleared, thanks to the hefty dose of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) in the formula.
    — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, 5 Jan. 2018

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alpha hydroxy acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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