glycolic acid

noun

gly·​col·​ic acid (ˌ)glī-ˈkä-lik- How to pronounce glycolic acid (audio)
variants or glycollic acid
: an alpha hydroxy acid C2H4O3 found especially in unripe grapes and sugar beets and used especially in textile and leather processing and in skin-care treatments especially as an exfoliant

Examples of glycolic acid in a Sentence

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That’s thanks to 10% glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid known to improve skin texture and tone, plus glycerin, peptides, and pomegranate enzymes for additional skin-loving benefits. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026 Plus, the titular glycolic acid is also a scalp-health superpower. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 Sodha suggests soaking 7% glycolic acid on a cotton pad, then applying it to the armpits three or four times per week. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 3 Aug. 2026 This could be because glycolic acid stimulates collagen production and cell turnover and proliferation (the production of new skin cells). — Laura Dorwart, Health, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for glycolic acid

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary glycol + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glycolic acid was in 1852

Rhymes for glycolic acid

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Browse Nearby Words

glycol
glycolic acid
glycolipid
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Cite this Entry

“Glycolic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycolic%20acid. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

glycolic acid

noun
variants also glycollic acid
: an alpha hydroxy acid C2H4O3 that is oxidized to glyoxylic acid in photosynthesis, is used as an agent to produce chemical peels in cutaneous rejuvenation treatments, and is the major toxic metabolite in ethylene glycol poisoning

called also hydroxyacetic acid

More from Merriam-Webster on glycolic acid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glycolic acid

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