Citric Acid

0-6 month old newbornsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Citric Acid?

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USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 4 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Citric Acid use with caution for 0-6 month old babies when used in topical products. Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

ℹ️General Overview

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.

What to Do

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.

⚠️Warnings

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.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Banned: Health Canada has placed restrictions on the use, concentration, or manufacturing of citric acid in cosmetics in Canada. An industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) also says safe use depends on product concentration and notes data gaps, so makers must limit or document how they use it. Because of these government and industry limits, some safety-verification programs will not allow this ingredient in products without proof it is used safely.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Citric Acid

This ingredient may also be listed as:

citric acidCITRIC ACIDCITRIC ACID"Citric Acid" }1466-EP2316834A11466-EP2316832A11466-EP2316835A1CITRIC ACID, MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF PH. EUR., BP, USP, E330, ANHYDROUS, 99.5-100.5% (BASED ON ANHYDROUS SUBSTANCE)1466-EP2316825A11466-EP2316828A11466-EP2316831A11466-EP2316829A11466-EP2316833A11466-EP2316827A1

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Citric Acid

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Citric Acid or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Citric Acid

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Citric Acid?

Use caution with Citric Acid for 0-6 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the banned risks of Citric Acid for newborns?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain Citric Acid?

Citric Acid is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can infants start using products with Citric Acid?

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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