Malic Acid is a multifunctional organic acid used in cosmetic and personal-care formulations, particularly as a pH-adjusting ingredient. It is also known as 2-Hydroxybutanedioic Acid or Hydroxysuccinic Acid. Malic Acid has the molecular formula C₄H₆O₅ and a molecular weight of 134.09 g/mol.
In cosmetic formulation, Malic Acid is primarily used when controlled adjustment of formulation pH is required. Its acidic nature makes it suitable for selected skin-care, hair-care, cleansing and personal-care formulations. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review identifies Malic Acid as a cosmetic ingredient used for pH adjustment.
Malic Acid is a hydroxy dicarboxylic acid containing two carboxylic acid groups and one hydroxyl group. Its chemical name is 2-Hydroxybutanedioic Acid, and its molecular formula is C₄H₆O₅.
Malic Acid occurs naturally in fruits and is particularly associated with the characteristic acidity of apples. For commercial cosmetic applications, the important considerations are the chemical form, purity, grade, stereochemical identity and applicable raw-material specification.
Malic Acid is available in different stereochemical forms. L-Malic Acid is the naturally occurring stereoisomer, while DL-Malic Acid contains both enantiomeric forms. Therefore, the CAS number should always correspond to the actual material being supplied.
Malic Acid is primarily used as a cosmetic pH adjuster. It can help lower the pH of suitable aqueous or water-containing formulations and can be incorporated during formulation development to achieve the desired acidic environment.
Formulation pH is an important parameter because it can influence ingredient compatibility, preservative performance, viscosity, stability, solubility and the overall characteristics of a finished cosmetic product.
Malic Acid is therefore useful when a formulation requires controlled acidification rather than simply being added as a general-purpose ingredient.
Malic Acid is an acidic compound that dissociates in aqueous systems. It has two carboxylic acid groups and therefore exhibits two acid dissociation stages.
Its reported pKa values are approximately 3.51 and 5.03 at 20 °C. The actual pH obtained after adding Malic Acid depends on the concentration, initial pH, buffering capacity, water content, temperature and other ingredients present in the formulation.
For this reason, there is no universal Malic Acid concentration suitable for every cosmetic product. The required quantity should be determined during formulation development by measuring the pH of the finished product.
Malic Acid can be considered for various skin-care formulations where controlled pH adjustment is required.
Applications may include:
The suitability of Malic Acid depends on the formulation composition and intended product characteristics. After incorporation, the finished formulation should be evaluated for pH, appearance, stability and ingredient compatibility.
Facial cleansers commonly contain surfactants, humectants, preservatives, fragrances and other cosmetic ingredients.
Malic Acid can be used during formulation development to adjust the pH of a cleanser to the required range. The quantity required depends on the initial pH and buffering characteristics of the formulation.
After pH adjustment, the cleanser should be evaluated for appearance, viscosity, stability and compatibility with its surfactant and preservation system.
Malic Acid can be incorporated into selected cream and lotion formulations where pH adjustment is required.
Creams and lotions may contain emulsifiers, emollients, humectants, polymers, preservatives and cosmetic actives. Because pH can influence the behavior of these components, controlled adjustment is important during product development.
Malic Acid should be added gradually under controlled conditions and the finished emulsion should be checked for pH, viscosity, phase stability, appearance and compatibility.
Malic Acid can be considered for water-based and other suitable cosmetic serum formulations.
Serums may contain several active and functional ingredients whose stability depends on formulation conditions. Malic Acid can help establish the required pH when an acidic formulation environment is appropriate.
The finished serum should be evaluated for pH, clarity, appearance, viscosity, stability and compatibility following formulation.
Malic Acid can also be considered as a pH-adjusting ingredient in selected hair-care formulations.
Potential applications include:
Hair-care products contain surfactants, conditioning agents, polymers and preservatives that may be affected by formulation pH.
Malic Acid can therefore be evaluated as part of a controlled pH-adjustment system.
Shampoo formulations commonly contain surfactants, conditioning ingredients, preservatives and other functional raw materials.
Malic Acid can be used during formulation development to adjust the shampoo pH when required.
The final amount should be determined based on the formulation's starting pH and buffering capacity. Finished shampoo should be evaluated for pH, viscosity, appearance, stability and compatibility.
Hair conditioners may contain fatty alcohols, conditioning agents, polymers, silicones and other formulation components.
Malic Acid can be evaluated as a pH-adjusting ingredient when the formulation requires an acidic environment.
Because pH can affect conditioning materials and formulation stability, compatibility testing should be performed after adjustment.
Malic Acid can be considered in selected personal-care products where pH adjustment is required.
These may include facial-care products, cleansing products, body-care products and hair-care formulations.
The exact application depends on the formulation design, desired pH, ingredient compatibility and finished-product requirements.
Malic Acid is soluble in water, which supports its use in aqueous and water-containing cosmetic formulations.
Its dissolution behavior can vary according to concentration, temperature, particle characteristics and the presence of other dissolved materials.
During formulation development, the actual commercial grade should be evaluated under the intended processing conditions.
pH can have a significant effect on cosmetic formulation stability.
Changing the pH can influence:
Malic Acid should therefore be incorporated as part of a controlled formulation-development process rather than added without subsequent pH and stability testing.
Malic Acid can participate in an acid/malate system where controlled pH is required.
When Malic Acid is used together with an appropriate malate salt, the resulting system can provide buffering characteristics. The final pH depends on the concentration and ratio of the acid and its corresponding salt.
Therefore, the buffering behavior of a cosmetic formulation should be evaluated based on the complete formulation rather than Malic Acid alone.
Malic Acid and Citric Acid are both organic acids, but they are chemically different materials.
Malic Acid has the molecular formula C₄H₆O₅, while Citric Acid has a different molecular structure and chemical composition.
Both ingredients can be considered for pH adjustment, but they are not interchangeable. The appropriate ingredient should be selected according to the formulation objective, desired pH, compatibility and raw-material specification.
Sodium Malate is a salt derived from Malic Acid and is chemically different from the free acid.
Malic Acid and Sodium Malate should therefore be treated as separate cosmetic raw materials with separate product identities and specifications.
Malic Acid is the acidic component, whereas Sodium Malate provides the corresponding malate salt form.
Malic Acid is identified by the following core chemical information:
Chemical Name: 2-Hydroxybutanedioic Acid
INCI Name: Malic Acid
Molecular Formula: C₄H₆O₅
Molecular Weight: 134.09 g/mol
Chemical Class: Hydroxy Dicarboxylic Acid
Primary Cosmetic Function: pH Adjuster
PubChem identifies 6915-15-7 among the CAS records for Malic Acid and 97-67-6 for L-(−)-Malic Acid. The CAS number published for a commercial product should match its actual stereochemical form and grade.
Malic Acid Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India is an important search term for cosmetic and personal-care manufacturers sourcing Malic Acid as a formulation raw material.
Swapnroop supplies cosmetic raw materials for professional formulation and manufacturing applications. Malic Acid can be considered for manufacturers developing skin-care, hair-care, cleansing and personal-care products requiring controlled pH adjustment.
When sourcing Malic Acid, manufacturers should consider the chemical form, CAS number, assay, purity, appearance, solubility and applicable product specification.
Malic Acid from Swapnroop can be considered for professional cosmetic formulation requirements where a defined organic acid is required for pH adjustment.
The material can support applications involving:
The appropriate grade should be selected according to the intended application and required quality specification.
For formulators searching for Malic Acid Cosmetic Ingredient, Malic Acid Cosmetic Raw Material, or Malic Acid Manufacturer in India, the key technical considerations are chemical identity, stereochemical form, purity, solubility, pH behavior and compatibility with the finished formulation.
Malic Acid is particularly relevant when the formulation requires controlled pH adjustment. Its water solubility and acidic properties allow it to be evaluated in a wide range of suitable aqueous and water-containing cosmetic systems.
The final formulation should always be tested for pH, stability, compatibility and finished-product performance.
Malic Acid is primarily used as a pH-adjusting ingredient in cosmetic formulations.
The molecular formula of Malic Acid is C₄H₆O₅.
The molecular weight of Malic Acid is 134.09 g/mol.
6915-15-7 is associated with Malic Acid/DL-Malic Acid records, while 97-67-6 is associated with L-(−)-Malic Acid. The correct CAS number depends on the actual commercial form.
Yes. Malic Acid is soluble in water and can be incorporated into suitable aqueous cosmetic formulations.
Yes. pH adjustment is a documented cosmetic function of Malic Acid.
Malic Acid can be considered for suitable skin-care formulations such as cleansers, creams, lotions, serums and masks where pH adjustment is required.
Yes. Malic Acid can be evaluated as a pH-adjusting ingredient in suitable shampoos, conditioners and other hair-care formulations.
Malic Acid is the free organic acid, while Sodium Malate is its salt form. They are different chemical substances and should have separate raw-material specifications.
Both are organic acids, but they have different chemical structures and molecular compositions. They should be selected independently according to the requirements of the formulation.
The required quantity depends on the formulation's initial pH, target pH, buffering capacity and other ingredients. The finished product should be tested after addition to confirm the required pH and stability.
Malic Acid is a cosmetic ingredient and pH adjuster with the chemical identity 2-Hydroxybutanedioic Acid, molecular formula C₄H₆O₅, and molecular weight 134.09 g/mol. It can be used in appropriate skin-care, hair-care, cleansing and personal-care formulations where controlled pH adjustment is required.
For commercial sourcing, the CAS number, stereochemical form and specification should always correspond to the actual Malic Acid grade supplied.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder |