--- title: Guide to the use of hydroxy acids in cosmetic products | ECSA Chemicals description: Guide on hydroxy acids in cosmetics, their types and uses, plus tips for safe formulation and product development. | ECSA Chemicals image: https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Hero-article-1920x1080-9-3.png --- ### Select your language [Deutsch](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/de/leitfaden-fuer-die-verwendung-von-hydroxysaeuren-in-kosmetikprodukten)  |  [Français](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/fr/guide-pour-lutilisation-des-hydroxyacides-dans-les-produits-cosmetiques)  |  [Italiano](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/it/guida-alluso-degli-idrossiacidi-nei-prodotti-cosmetici) [![ecsa chemicals](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/hubfs/ECSA_Chemicals_April2025/Images/logo.svg) ![ecsa chemicals](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/hubfs/ECSA_Chemicals_April2025/Images/logo-sticky.svg)](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/) - [Industrial Chemicals](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/industrial-chemicals/) - [Pharma & Nutrition](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/pharma-nutrition/) - [Flavours & Fragrances](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/flavours-fragrances/) - [Cosmetics & Detergents](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/cosmetics-detergents/) - [Content Hub](https://blog-chemicals.ecsa.ch/en/ecsa-chemicals) - [About us](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/about-us/) En - En - Products - [Industrial Chemicals](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/industrial-chemicals/) - [Pharma & Nutrition](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/pharma-nutrition/) - [Flavours & Fragrances](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/flavours-fragrances/) - [Cosmetics & Detergents](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/cosmetics-detergents/) - [Content Hub](https://blog-chemicals.ecsa.ch/en/ecsa-chemicals) - About us - [ECSA world](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/about-us/the-ecsa-world/) - [Certifications & Quality](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/about-us/quality-and-certifications/) - [Security & environment](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/about-us/safety-and-the-environment/) - [Infrastuctures logistics & services](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/about-us/infrastructure-logistics-and-services/) - [Career](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/about-us/career/) - [We Are ECSA](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/about-us/we-are-ecsa/) - [Catalogs](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/catalogues/) Follow us This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. Search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Guide to the use of hydroxy acids in cosmetic products - [Home](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/) - [Content Hub - Ecsa chemicals](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en) - Guide to the use of hydroxy acids in cosmetic products 06 December 2023 **Hydroxy acids (HA)** are a class of highly effective ingredients widely used in skincare and haircare products. They can be found in exfoliating lotions, products for acne-prone skin and anti-ageing products. The most frequently used classes are a-hydroxy acids, b-hydroxy acids and the more recent poly-hydroxy acids, better known as **AHA, BHA and PHA**. Some of them are also known as **fruit acids** because they occur naturally: citric acid in citrus fruit, malic acid in apples, and glycolic acid in sugar cane. Usage rates vary widely from product to product, starting from 1-2% in cleansers and moisturisers and reaching 70% in exfoliants for professional dermatological use. These ingredients not only detach surface cells but perform a deep action. Their action slows down the cohesion of corneocytes and stimulates cell proliferation, for firm, radiant skin. ![](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Banner-per-sito-web-8-Jun-06-2025-08-22-33-8050-AM.png?width=1200&height=250&name=Banner-per-sito-web-8-Jun-06-2025-08-22-33-8050-AM.png) Formulators wishing to incorporate them into new formulations must be well acquainted with their characteristics in order to make the most of their cosmetic properties and use them **safely**. At high concentrations they can cause reddening and **irritation** of the skin; pH levels that are too acidic can cause chemical burns with damage to the deeper layers of the epidermis. They also increase **UV sensitivity**, so they are usually not recommended in summer or for use in combination with sunscreen. This guide provides: - An overview of the most frequently used HA classes - A describing their cosmetic applications - A table  with useful information for the development of products containing HAs. [Read the full article](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Brochure-hydroxy-acids_ECSA-Chemicals-1.pdf)   *Contact your ECSA sales representative to request offers, documentation and samples.* - [MP 020313 CITRIC ACID MONOHYDRATE BP](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/prodotto/mp-020313/) - [MP 000048 GLYCOLIC ACID 70%](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/product/mp-000048/) - [MP 021584 LACTIC ACID (L+) MIN. 90% HS MP 013492 MALIC ACID](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/product/mp-021584/) - [MP 028788 SALICYLIC ACID](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/product/mp-028788/) - [MP 033456 GLUCONO-DELTA-LACTONE](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/product/mp-033456/) - [MP 028094 LACTOBIONIC ACID](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/product/mp-028094/) - [MP 029584 TRANEXAMIC ACID](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/product/mp-029584/) [Download the brochure](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Brochure-hydroxy-acids_ECSA-Chemicals-1.pdf) *ECSA has been in the commodities trading market for over 100 years and has three warehouses with large storage capacities and wide availability of products for prompt delivery.* *Contact our experts to ensure the continuity of your production!* [Contact us](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/contacts/) --- #### Share: - [Follow us on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/guide-to-the-use-of-hydroxy-acids-in-cosmetic-products) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/guide-to-the-use-of-hydroxy-acids-in-cosmetic-products&text=Guide%20to%20the%20use%20of%20hydroxy%20acids%20in%20cosmetic%20products) - [Follow us on Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/guide-to-the-use-of-hydroxy-acids-in-cosmetic-products) - [Follow us on Pinterest](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/guide-to-the-use-of-hydroxy-acids-in-cosmetic-products&text=Guide%20to%20the%20use%20of%20hydroxy%20acids%20in%20cosmetic%20productsdescription=Hydroxy%20acids%20(HA)%20are%20a%20class%20of%20highly%20effective%20ingredients%20widely%20used%20in%20skincare%20and%20haircare%20products.%20They%20can%20be%20found%20in%20exfoliating%20lotions,[...]&media=https://27166650.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/27166650/Imported_Blog_Media/Hero-article-1920x1080-9-3.png) #### [Cooling Agent WS-3 & WS23 Previous post](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/cooling-agent-ws-3-and-ws-23) #### [Cosmet'agora 2024 Next post](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/ecsa-chemicals-attend-cosmetagora-2024) #### You might also be interested in: ### [Ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, Methyl 2-methylbutyrate](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/ethyl-2-methylbutyrate-and-methyl-2-methylbutyrate) [Expert advice ,](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/tag/expert-advice) [Purchase advice ,](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/tag/purchase-advice) [Products](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/tag/products) ### [Dextrose - probably the best-known simple sugar](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/dextrose-probably-the-best-known-simple-sugar) [Purchase advice ,](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/tag/purchase-advice) [Products](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/tag/products) ### [Sunscreen formulation strategies](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/sunscreen-formulation-strategies) [Expert advice ,](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/tag/expert-advice) [Purchase advice ,](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/tag/purchase-advice) [Products](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/tag/products) ## Stay connected ### Receive the latest information and news from the chemistry world [![ecsa chemicals](https://blog.ecsa-chemicals.ch/hubfs/ECSA_Chemicals_April2025/Images/logo.svg "ecsa chemicals")](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/) Social Associations and partners - [RSPO](https://www.rspo.org/) - [AssICC](https://www.assicconline.it/) - [Scienceindustries](https://www.scienceindustries.ch/) - [FECC](https://www.fecc.org/) - [Sedex](https://www.sedex.com/) - [IFEAT](https://ifeat.org/) - [SEPAWA](https://www.sepawa.com/) - [Bio Suisse](https://www.bio-suisse.ch/) - [World Chemical Distributor Directory](https://chemical-distributors.com/) - [EFEO](https://www.efeo.eu/) - [Cosmetica Italia](https://www.cosmeticaitalia.it/) - [Bioagricert](https://www.bioagricert.org/) - [Farma industria](https://www.farmaindustriaticino.ch/) - [Carlo Erba Reagents](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/carlo-erba-reagents/) - [Contact us](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/contact/) - [Catalogs](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/catalogues/) - [Suppliers](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/suppliers/) - [Career](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/about-us/career/) - [We Are ECSA](https://ecsa-chemicals.ch/en/about-us/we-are-ecsa/) 2026 ECSA Group. 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