---
title: Alpha Hydroxy Acids
entity_type: Source
canonical_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/fda-alpha-hydroxy-acids-photosensitivity
date_modified: 2026-05-27
date_reviewed: 2026-05-27
mcp_eligible: true
summary: FDA alpha hydroxy acid guidance supports photosensitivity and sunscreen caution language for exfoliating-acid routines. It helps keep public guidance specific,
source_type: regulatory
original_source_url: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/alpha-hydroxy-acids
evidence_sources: []
product_fact_sources: []
---

# Alpha Hydroxy Acids

## Quick Summary

FDA alpha hydroxy acid guidance supports photosensitivity and sunscreen caution language for exfoliating-acid routines.

## What Studied

This source is used for conservative skincare education, ingredient mechanisms, reaction-pattern boundaries, or clinician-referral language.

## Main Findings

The source supports practical, cautious wording and does not justify cure claims or overconfident product promises.

## Why It Matters

It anchors the page in a more reliable reference than marketing copy or thin SEO summaries.

Original Source — Alpha Hydroxy Acids. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/alpha-hydroxy-acids (rel="nofollow")

## Related Entities

- [Can exfoliating acids make skin more sun sensitive?](https://skinknowledgebase.com/questions/can-exfoliating-acids-make-skin-more-sun-sensitive)
- [Are PHAs better than AHAs for sensitive skin?](https://skinknowledgebase.com/questions/are-phas-better-than-ahas-for-sensitive-skin)