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Characteristics of alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids
| HYDROXY ACID | SOLUBILITY | SOURCE | PENETRATION | ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha-hydroxy acid | Water soluble | – | Dermis (at high concentrations) | Exfoliative |
| Glycolic acid | – | Sugar cane | – | – |
| Lactic acid | – | Sour milk | – | – |
| Beta-hydroxy acid | Lipid soluble | Epidermis and pilosebaceous unit | Exfoliative, comedolytic, anti-inflammatory | |
| Salicylic | – | Willow bark, wintergreen, sweet birch | – | – |
