(R)-(-)-Mandelic acid is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as a chiral building block for the synthesis of various drugs. It serves as an intermediate in the production of antibiotics, particularly penicillins and cephalosporins, enhancing their efficacy. In dermatology, it is utilized in skincare formulations for its exfoliating properties, helping to treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and photoaging by promoting cell turnover. Additionally, it finds application in the synthesis of enantiomerically pure compounds, which are crucial in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with specific biological activities. Its role in asymmetric synthesis also makes it valuable in creating compounds with high optical purity for research and industrial purposes.