Citric Acid

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Citric Acid?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Citric Acid is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For children 5 years and older (school-age kids, tweens, teens), citric acid in everyday skincare like wipes, shampoos and lotions is usually safe when used at the low levels found in those products. It may sting if it gets in the eyes or is placed on sore or broken skin.

What to Do

Choose products made for kids when possible. Do a small patch test on the inside of the forearm and wait up to 48 hours before regular use. Don’t use products meant for strong chemical exfoliation or high acid concentrations on children. Keep products away from the eyes and mouth. If the skin becomes red, very irritated, or painful, stop use and rinse the area with water. If a strong reaction occurs, contact your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

Avoid products labeled as strong acids, peels, or concentrated treatments — those can burn children's skin (industry reviewers advise concentration limits). Health Canada has restrictions on some cosmetic uses of citric acid, and industry safety reviews note recommended limits and some data gaps, so be cautious with non–child-formulated products. Also watch for stinging or eye contact and stop use if irritation occurs. (Sources: Health Canada; Cosmetic industry safety reviews; regulatory food safety listings.)

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 kid-friendly to use Citric Acid?

Yes, Citric Acid is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the banned risks of Citric Acid for children?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

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 kids start using products with Citric Acid?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 5+ year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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