Malic Acid
AKA “PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD, MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF FCC, E296, 99-100”
Acid
Ingredient Facts
Malic acid
AKA: PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD, MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF FCC, E296, 99-100
Acid · pH Adjuster · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Acid
Not Clean
(S)-malic acid is an optically active form of malic acid having (S)-configuration. It has a role as a geroprotector. It is a conjugate acid of a (S)-malate(2-). It is an enantiomer of a (R)-malic acid.
Formula
C4H6O5
Mol. Weight
134.09
CAS #
97-67-6
See origin →
Functions
pH Adjuster
Buffering
Provides scent
Maintains optimal pH
Traditional Use
This is a quality assurance notation indicating compliance with Food Chemicals Codex standards, not an ingredient.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Double Polishing Peel
Alpyn Beauty
The Radiance Ritual
Alpyn Beauty
Squalane Facial Oil Home & Travel Duo
Indie Lee
Daily Acid Toner
Josh Rosebrook
Black Tulip Facial Treatment
Bloom Effects
Royal Tulip Cleansing Jelly
Bloom Effects
Botanical Boosting Oil
Indie Lee
The Necessary Eyeshadow Palette
ILIA Beauty
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)
Malic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR