beta hydroxy acid
noun
variants
or less commonly beta-hydroxy acid
plural beta hydroxy acids also beta-hydroxy acids
: any of various carboxylic acids with a hydroxyl group attached at the beta position
especially
: salicylic acid
AHAs have recently been joined by beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), used by the skin-care industry to refer to salicylic acid, which dermatologists have long used as an astringent, antiseptic, and skin-slougher. —
Consumer Reports
—abbreviation BHA
compare alpha hydroxy acid
Consumer Reports Examples of beta hydroxy acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) lauded for its exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties, has long been the MVP of breakout control, but today’s best salicylic acid serums go well beyond zapping zits.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Primarily, there are beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) courtesy of lipo hydroxy acid (LHA), a deep-penetrating chemical exfoliant that gently sloughs off old, dead cells to reveal brighter, fresher skin.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
The secret sauce is a cocktail of four alpha hydroxy acids and one beta hydroxy acid (hence the name), which is infused into the first of the product’s two steps.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025
And salicylic acid—a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA—gets deep into pores to clear out oil and dead skin cells that can lead to breakouts.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 22 Aug. 2025
There are three main types of exfoliating acids in chemical exfoliants: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs).
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Never mix vitamin C with retinoids, alpha/beta hydroxy acids, or benzoyl peroxide in the same application.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 29 July 2025
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Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Primarily, there are beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) courtesy of lipo hydroxy acid (LHA), a deep-penetrating chemical exfoliant that gently sloughs off old, dead cells to reveal brighter, fresher skin.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
The secret sauce is a cocktail of four alpha hydroxy acids and one beta hydroxy acid (hence the name), which is infused into the first of the product’s two steps.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025
And salicylic acid—a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA—gets deep into pores to clear out oil and dead skin cells that can lead to breakouts.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 22 Aug. 2025
There are three main types of exfoliating acids in chemical exfoliants: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs).
—Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Never mix vitamin C with retinoids, alpha/beta hydroxy acids, or benzoyl peroxide in the same application.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beta hydroxy acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beta%20hydroxy%20acid. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
beta hydroxy acid
noun
variants
also beta-hydroxy acid
or beta hydroxy
or beta-hydroxy
: any of various carboxylic acids with a hydroxyl group attached at the beta position
especially
: salicylic acid
A better fix is to exfoliate with a high-concentration beta hydroxy acid product designed for warts. —Paula Begoun, The Houston Chronicle
—abbreviation BHA
compare alpha hydroxy acid
Paula Begoun, The Houston Chronicle Love words? Need even more definitions?
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