glycolic acid

American  

Or glycollic acid

noun

1. a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C 2 H 4 O 3 , that is a major substrate for photorespiration in plants: used chiefly for textile printing and dyeing and in pesticides.

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glycolic acid British  

noun

1. a colourless crystalline soluble hygroscopic compound found in sugar cane and sugar beet: used in tanning and in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, adhesives, and plasticizers; hydroxyacetic acid. Formula: CH 2 (OH)COOH

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glycolic acid Scientific  

/ glī-kŏl′ĭk /

1. A colorless crystalline compound that occurs naturally in sugar beets and sugarcane. It is used in leather dyeing and tanning, and in making pharmaceuticals, pesticides, adhesives, and plasticizers. Chemical formula: C ₂ H ₄ O ₃ .

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Etymology

Origin of glycolic acid

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The tingle of glycolic acid, the pain of extractions, the warm towels heating my skin.

From Los Angeles Times

If so, he recommended using products with glycolic acid, a gentle chemical exfoliant, to boost skin-cell turnover without drying out your skin.

From Seattle Times

It also produces glycolic acid, which is widely used in the cosmetics industry.

From BBC

For this reason, Dr. Ciraldo recommends removing barrier-degrading ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinol from your stress skin routine.

From New York Times

“You can try a spot treatment with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or glycolic acid,” says Jaber, who also said a hydrocortisone cream could help reduce inflammation on irritated areas.

From Fox News