Glycolic acid is a 2-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid that is acetic acid where the methyl group has been hydroxylated.It is the smallest α-hydroxy acid (AHA).
Glycolic acid (Hydroxyacetic acid) is an α-hydroxy acid. Glycolic acid solutions having concentration of 70% and pH range of 0.08 to 2.75 are widely employed as superficial chemical peeling agents.