Is Malic Acid safe in cosmetics?
Malic Acid has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Malic Acid
INCI: MALIC ACID
Malic Acid (CAS 617-48-1) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Dicarboxylic AHA from apples (Pyrus Malus). Lacks the exfoliating potency of. NOAEL 600 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 617-48-1 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Malic Acid is classified GHS Danger (H302, H315, H318, H319, H335) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Dicarboxylic AHA from apples (Pyrus Malus). Lacks the exfoliating potency of glycolic or lactic acid and is typically used in combination with other AHAs, particularly in brightening and anti-hyperpigmentation formulations. Contributes mild exfoliation, pH buffering, and chelation in multi-acid blends.
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
EC Number
210-514-9
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
GRAS affirmed under 21 CFR 184.1069 (both DL- and L-forms) as food additive (pH control, flavor enhancer, antimicrobial). Not permitted in baby food. FDA recommends ≤10% concentration at pH ≥3.5 for consumer OTC cosmetics. Professional/salon use up to 30% at pH ≥3.0. Mandatory Sunburn Alert labeling recommended per FDA 2005 AHA guidance. Not a GRASE sunscreen ingredient.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Malic Acid.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Malic Acid across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Malic Acid, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
6-10%
Penetration Level
stratum-corneum
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum/epidermis
Molecular Weight
134.1 Da
Log P
-1.26
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
4-8%
Safety Margin Factor
low
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: Int J Cosmet Sci 2009
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "6915-15-7", "anti_acne_mechanism": "keratolytic", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "0", "acne_type_efficacy": "non_inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "5-8", "keratolytic_strength": "mild", "exfoliation_mechanism": "chemical", "optimal_ph_for_efficacy": "3.0-4.0", "aha_type": "malic", "peel_depth": "superficial", "prescription_required_usa": "No", "otc_drug_monograph_cate…
anti_pollution
{"cas_number": "97-67-6", "ingredient_class": "heavy_metal_chelator", "primary_mechanism": "chelation", "pollution_types_targeted": "heavy_metals", "IR_A_protection": "no", "visible_light_protection": "no", "digital_screen_protection_claim": "no", "PAH_neutralization": "no", "ozone_protection": "no", "mitochondrial_protection": "no", "Nrf2_activation": "no", "AhR_pathway_modulation": "no", "NF_kB_…
baby_pediatric
{"cas_number": "6915-15-7/617-48-1", "ingredient_class": "other", "pediatric_safety_rating": "acceptable", "minimum_age_months": "12", "neonatal_safe": "no", "premature_infant_safe": "insufficient_data", "skin_barrier_maturity_consideration": "AHA - mild", "transepidermal_absorption_risk_pediatric": "low", "systemic_exposure_concern_pediatric": "low", "dose_per_kg_body_weight_concern": "Chelator/b…
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "0", "irritancy_rating": "2", "skin_type_suitability": "all,combination,normal,mature", "acne_safe": "yes", "source": "AHA exfoliant"}
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "1.0", "max_concentration_pct": "5.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "3.0", "product_type": "Serum", "function_at_concentration": "Exfoliation, antioxidant", "source": "Supplier TDS"}
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "budget", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "12", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "20", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "0", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "0", "supply_chain_volatility": "low", "primary_source_region": "China", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "300", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "commodity", "substitute_ingredients": "Tartaric Acid, Cit…
depigmentation
{"cas_number": "6915-15-7", "ingredient_class": "keratinocyte_turnover_enhancer", "primary_mechanism_of_action": "AHA from apples; gentle exfoliation", "secondary_mechanisms": "Variable", "molecular_target": "other", "tyrosinase_inhibition_IC50_uM": "varies", "tyrosinase_inhibition_type": "competitive", "melanin_reduction_pct_in_vitro": "25-45", "melanin_reduction_pct_clinical": "15-30", "onset_of…
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "134.1", "log_p_value": "-1.26", "skin_penetration_level": "stratum-corneum", "penetration_depth": "stratum corneum/epidermis", "absorption_pct": "6-10", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "yes", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "weakens", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "4-8", "safety_margin_factor": "low", …
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Malic Acid.
Regulatory Flags
eu-unrestricted
cir-approved
no-sccs-opinion
gras-fda
phototoxic
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Malic Acid by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
9
Lowest NOAEL
300 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
ECHA_REACH_reach_study_results_dossiers_23-05-2023.zip
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malic Acid allowed in the EU?
Malic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Malic Acid do in cosmetics?
Malic Acid functions as: Dicarboxylic AHA from apples (Pyrus Malus). Lacks the exfoliating potency of glycolic or lactic acid and is typically used in combination with other AHAs, particularly in brightening and anti-hyperpigmentation formulations. Contributes mild exfoliation, pH buffering, and chelation in multi-acid blends.. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 617-48-1.
Is Malic Acid used outside cosmetics?
Malic Acid also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Malic Acid have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Malic Acid is classified GHS Danger (H302, H315, H318, H319, H335) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Malic Acid compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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