To provide a method for improving optical purity of an optically active 2-hydroxycarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, which is useful as a raw material in the manufacture of medicines, agrochemicais, and industrial products. The method of the invention for improving purity of a hydroxycarboxylic acid of the following formula (1a) or (1b) or a derivative thereof includes the steps of reacting the hydroxycarboxylic acid of the following formula (1a) or (1b) with at least one optically inactive base selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, alkoxide and a secondary amine in the presence of a solvent and, subsequently, performing recrystallization, to thereby form a hydroxycarboxylic acid salt of the following formula (IIIa) or (IIIb): wherein R1 represents a C1-8 alkyl group, and R2 represents an alkali metal or a secondary amine.