Maleic Acid
What Maleic Acid is & what it does
Maleic Acid is a small organic dicarboxylic acid used in cosmetics mainly as a pH adjuster and buffering agent. By helping to set and hold a formula's acidity, it keeps the product stable and within a skin-friendly pH range. It is typically present at very low levels and serves a formulation role rather than acting as an active skincare ingredient.
What does Maleic Acid do in skincare?
Maleic Acid is used mainly as a pH adjuster and buffering agent, helping to set and hold a formula's acidity within a stable, skin-friendly range. It keeps the product consistent rather than acting as an active skincare ingredient. It is typically present at very low levels.
Is Maleic Acid safe?
Maleic Acid is generally considered safe in cosmetics at the low levels used for pH adjustment and buffering. Its role is to keep the overall formula at a balanced acidity rather than to act directly on the skin. As with any ingredient, the finished product's pH and full formula determine how it feels in use.
Is Maleic Acid natural or synthetic?
Maleic Acid used in cosmetics is generally synthetic, produced through industrial chemical processes. While related organic acids occur in nature, the cosmetic-grade material is typically manufactured. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a botanical active.
Sunscreens with Maleic Acid
We rate 6 sunscreens that contain it:
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Sanosan Baby Sun Cream SPF50 +
91/100
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RITUALS Sun Lotion SPF 50
87/100
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RITUALS Sun Face Cream SPF 50
80/100
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RITUALS The Ritual Of Karma Sun Protection Face Cream Spf50
75/100
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RITUALS The Ritual Of Karma Sun Protection Face Cream 50
74/100
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RITUALS SPF Lotion Kids 50+ Karma
73/100