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Malic acid (Fruit Acid)
AKA “Malic Acid”
Acid
Ingredient Facts
Malic acid (Fruit Acid)
Acid · Humectant · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Humectant
Exfoliant
Skin Conditioner
Acid
Clean
A naturally derived fruit acid that helps balance and prepare skin for better absorption of other skincare ingredients.
Family
Found in various plant families, particularly Rosaceae (apples, pears)
Plant Part
Fruit
Lifeform
Annual
Climate
Temperate
CAS #
97-67-6
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Buffer
Exfoliating
Removes dead skin cells so fresh ones can come through. Chemical exfoliants (acids) are generally gentler than physical scrubs.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Stabilizes pH
Antioxidant Protection
Reduces Inflammation
Fights Bacteria
Traditional Use
Identified in apples in the 19th century; historically used in folk remedies for skin clarification. Became a mainstream cosmetic ingredient in the 1980s-90s as part of the alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) skincare revolution for gentle exfoliation.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dullness
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Amended Safety Assessment of Malic Acid and Sodium Malate as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2022
→
Amended Safety Assessment of Malic Acid and Sodium Malate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Malic Acid and Sodium Malate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
→
Malic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Malic Acid [Fruit Acid]
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Tartaric Acid [AHA Fruit Acid]
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
→
Malic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
→
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne.
Liu H, Yu H, Xia J, Liu L, Liu GJ et al.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2020
→
Verified Feb 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR