Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) are non-toxic acids that occur naturally in nature such as glycolic acid from sugar cane, lactic acid from sour milk, tartaric acid from wine, and malic acid from apples. Glycolic acid from sugar cane is the smallest molecular size of all the alpha hydroxy acids. The small single-chain molecule penetrates the skin, providing a faster and more dramatic result. If you investigate lactic acid under a microscope, it appears similar to a large boulder rolling across the surface of the skin. Glycolic acid and other alpha hydroxy acids are patented by Ruey Yu, Ph.D., chemist, and Eugene Van Scott, M.D., for 35 uses, the most popular are acne, hyperpigmentation (brown spots or uneven skin tone), aging, and small scar reduction. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., has the patent for ingrown hairs, extremely helpful for curly hair growing back into the skin. Target areas are beards for men and bikini lines for women. All alpha hydroxy results will continue to improve over time.