A method for synthesizing an acyloxycarboxylic acid by providing a reaction chamber, establishing sources of an a-hydroxycarboxylic acid and an acid chloride, and repeatedly contacting substantially equal molar amounts of the a-hydroxycarboxylic acid and the acid chloride within the reaction chamber. The acyloxycarboxylic acid so synthesized is useful as a starting material for conversion to various esters which, when placed in aqueous solution with a source of hydrogen peroxide, result in a peracid and are useful for bleaching applications.