The invention concerns 2-hydroxyalkenoic acids within a general formula ##STR1## where R' is chosen from: a. C.sub.w H.sub.2w,b. C.sub.y H.sub.2y-1, andc. C.sub.y H.sub.2y OZwhere Z is chosen from H, R" and (CH.sub.2).sub.n OR"R" is chosen from C.sub.m H.sub.2m+1 and (CH.sub.2).sub.n OC.sub.m H.sub.2m+1 ;w is an integer of from 1 to 25y is an integer of from 2 to 25m is an integer of from 1 to 4n is an integer of from 1 to 6Many compounds within the formula are novel and are claimed as such. The invention also provides a process for making the compounds, and compositions for topical application to human skin, hair or nails which contain compounds of the above formula and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.