For newborns and infants (0–6 months), citric acid is generally low risk for long‑term harm but can irritate sensitive baby skin or eyes. It is used to balance acidity in many products, but special care is needed for very young babies.
Choose products made for babies or labelled safe for newborn skin. Avoid using products that list acids or strong pH adjusters on a newborn’s face, diaper area, or any broken skin. If you must use a product with citric acid, do a small test patch on normal skin first, use the lowest concentration product available, and rinse off immediately if it stings or the baby cries when applied near the face.
Avoid putting products with citric acid on rashy, red, cracked, or broken skin. Keep away from the baby’s eyes — citric acid can sting and cause irritation (source: product safety and industry reviews, and Health Canada guidance on use restrictions). Some certification or verification programs ask manufacturers for extra safety data before using this ingredient in baby products (source: industry safety panels). If you see lasting redness, swelling, blistering, or the baby is unusually fussy after application, stop use and contact your pediatrician.
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This ingredient is found in the following products:
This list shows products that contain Citric Acid or its alternative names.
Use caution with Citric Acid for 0-6 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.
Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.
Citric Acid is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.
The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 0-6 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.
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