Malic Acid

6-12 month old babiesSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Can older babies use Malic Acid?

⚠️
USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 4 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Malic Acid use with caution for 6-12 month old babies when used in topical products. Monitor for any reactions in older babies.

ℹ️General Overview

For 6–12 month old babies: generally low risk for long‑term harm at low amounts, but it can irritate sensitive baby skin or eyes. Some agencies limit how it’s used in cosmetics.

What to Do

If you use a product that lists malic acid on a baby (6–12 months): choose products made for babies or that state safe low concentrations, do a small patch test on the arm and wait 24 hours, avoid applying near the eyes, mouth, or on broken or chapped skin, use it only occasionally and rinse off if it’s a wash, and stop use and clean the area if you see redness, swelling, or pain. If irritation continues, contact your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

Do not use leave‑on products with malic acid on an infant’s bare skin without checking the product is formulated and tested for babies. Watch for redness, stinging, swelling, or eye irritation — these irritation concerns come from safety reviews by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. Also note some countries (for example Health Canada) place limits or restrictions on its use in cosmetics. If a product is labelled for baby use, check the manufacturer’s safety information and avoid use if the product does not disclose concentration or safety testing.

Confidence: MEDIUM

Are you holding the product?

Scan the full ingredient label and understand if it's safe for your child.

Scan the full label for free
Get instant analysis of all ingredients together

Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Banned: Health Canada lists limits on its use in cosmetics, and an industry safety panel says it should only be used in limited ways (for example as a pH adjuster). Because government regulators and safety reviewers restrict how it can be used in personal care products, this is a regulatory concern parents should know about.
Irritant: A safety review found strong evidence that this ingredient can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs in people. Since it is used on the skin, it can cause redness, stinging, or rashes—especially on sensitive or young skin.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Malic Acid

This ingredient may also be listed as:

malic acid99-EP2311818A199-EP2311814A199-EP2311809A199-EP2314574A199-EP2311811A199-EP2311842A2DL-MALIC ACID, MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF FCC, E296, 99-100.5% (ALKALIMETRIC)MALIC ACID, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALMALIC ACID, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARDZ940713496

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

Products Containing Malic Acid

This ingredient is found in the following products:

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

Research Articles on Malic Acid

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Malic Acid safety and effects.

Common Questions About Malic Acid

Can older babies safely use Malic Acid?

Use caution with Malic Acid for 6-12 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the banned risks of Malic Acid for older babies?

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

What are the irritant risks of Malic Acid for older babies?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain Malic Acid?

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

Is this appropriate for older babies to using products with Malic Acid?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 6-12 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

📱

Want to scan another product?

Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels

Scan Another Product