Malic Acid

Malic Acid

Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) used to support exfoliation, skin smoothing, and pH adjustment in cosmetic formulations.

INCI Name: Malic Acid

Appearance: White crystalline powder

Solubility: Water-soluble

Function: Exfoliating agent, pH adjuster, skin conditioning ingredient

Malic Acid is a fruit-derived alpha hydroxy acid commonly used in skincare formulations to help improve skin texture, support gentle exfoliation, and promote a smoother, brighter appearance. It is often incorporated into exfoliating serums, peels, toners, and resurfacing treatments.

Supplied as a cosmetic raw material for formulation use.

What It Does

Malic Acid helps support surface exfoliation by encouraging the removal of dull, rough skin buildup. Compared to stronger exfoliating acids, it is often used to provide a gentler resurfacing profile while also contributing to formulation pH adjustment and skin feel improvement.

Key Benefits

• Supports smoother and softer skin texture.
• Helps improve dull or uneven-looking skin appearance.
• Provides gentle exfoliation support.
• Useful in resurfacing and brightening systems.
• Can assist with final formula pH adjustment.
• Works well in multi-acid exfoliation blends.

Typical Use Levels

• 0.5–2% — Mild exfoliation and pH adjustment
• 2–5% — Standard resurfacing and brightening systems
• 5–10% — Higher-strength exfoliation formulations

How to Incorporate

• Dissolve into the water phase during formulation.
• Adjust final pH as needed after incorporation.
• Can be combined with other AHAs, PHAs, humectants, and soothing ingredients.

Formulation Notes

• Final formula pH significantly affects exfoliation strength.
• Often paired with lactic acid, glycolic acid, gluconolactone, or lactobionic acid.
• Humectants and soothing agents may help improve overall skin feel.
• Patch testing and proper formulation practices are recommended for exfoliating systems.

Common Applications

• Exfoliating serums
• Resurfacing toners
• Chemical peel systems
• Brightening formulations
• Facial cleansers
• Multi-acid treatments

Humans discovered fruit acids could remove dull skin and immediately decided to dissolve their faces on purpose. Cosmetic chemistry remains deeply committed to controlled damage.

Documents

• Certificate of Analysis (COA)
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry place.
• Keep container tightly sealed.
• Protect from moisture and contamination.

Disclaimer

This material is supplied for cosmetic formulation use only. Users are responsible for evaluating suitability, stability, pH compatibility, and regulatory compliance within finished formulations.