CitricAcid' ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily used as a pH adjuster and buffering acid, helping formulas land in a skin-appropriate pH range. It can also support preservation systems by binding trace metal ions that can destabilize a formula.
What does CitricAcid' do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily used as a pH adjuster and buffering acid, helping formulas land in a skin-appropriate pH range. It can also support preservation systems by binding trace metal ions that can destabilize a formula.
Is CitricAcid' clean?
This ingredient is widely accepted in clean-beauty standards and is generally well tolerated at pH-adjusting levels. Sensitivity is mainly a concentration and final-formula pH issue, especially in exfoliating products.
Is CitricAcid' sustainable?
This material is commonly produced by fermentation of carbohydrate feedstocks and is readily biodegradable. Its sustainability profile is generally favorable, with low persistence and broad availability from renewable sources.
Is CitricAcid' COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic standards when produced and used according to standard criteria. It aligns well with Green Chemistry principles because it can be fermentation-derived, water-soluble, biodegradable, and useful at low levels.
How does CitricAcid' work chemically?
The molecule is a small, water-soluble tricarboxylic acid with three carboxyl groups and one hydroxyl group, with pKa values around 3.1, 4.8, and 6.4. Typical use is about 0.05 to 2% for pH adjustment or buffering, with higher levels possible in exfoliating formulas, and it is stable in water while also binding trace metals that can accelerate oxidation.
Last updated 2026-05-16