CITRATE ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is mainly used as a buffering and pH-adjusting agent, helping formulas hold a mildly acidic target pH. It can also support metal-ion control, which helps protect color, scent, and preservative performance.
What does CITRATE do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is mainly used as a buffering and pH-adjusting agent, helping formulas hold a mildly acidic target pH. It can also support metal-ion control, which helps protect color, scent, and preservative performance.
Is CITRATE clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is broadly accepted and not a common restricted-list concern. It is generally well tolerated, with irritation more related to the final formula pH than to the material itself.
Is CITRATE sustainable?
This material is commonly produced from fermentation-based feedstocks followed by simple mineral neutralization. It is readily biodegradable and is not associated with persistence or bioaccumulation concerns.
Is CITRATE COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when made through allowed processes. It aligns well with Green Chemistry principles because it can come from renewable fermentation feedstocks, uses straightforward processing, and has a favorable biodegradation profile.
How does CITRATE work chemically?
The molecule is a tricarboxylate species, typically present as a mineral salt, with multiple carboxyl groups that buffer pH and bind trace metal ions. It is commonly used at low levels, often around 0.05% to 0.5%, and works best in mildly acidic to near-neutral systems where pH control and chelation are useful.
Last updated 2026-05-15