Sodium Citrate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a pH buffer and pH adjuster, helping formulas stay in a stable, skin-appropriate range. It can also lightly chelate metal ions, which supports preservative performance and formula stability.
What does Sodium Citrate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a pH buffer and pH adjuster, helping formulas stay in a stable, skin-appropriate range. It can also lightly chelate metal ions, which supports preservative performance and formula stability.
Is Sodium Citrate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is generally well-tolerated, low in irritation potential, and not a common restricted-list concern. It is a standard buffering material rather than a high-controversy active or sensitizing preservative.
Is Sodium Citrate sustainable?
This material is commonly produced from fermentation-derived acid that is neutralized with a mineral alkali, so it can fit well with renewable-source supply chains. It is water-soluble, readily biodegradable, and not associated with environmental persistence.
Is Sodium Citrate COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic frameworks when used for appropriate formulation functions such as buffering or pH control. Its profile aligns well with Green Chemistry principles because it can come from fermentation-based feedstocks, uses straightforward processing, and has favorable biodegradability.
How does Sodium Citrate work chemically?
The molecule is an ionic salt of a tricarboxylic acid, giving it strong water solubility and useful buffering behavior, especially when paired with its conjugate acid system around mildly acidic pH ranges. Typical use is often about 0.1% to 1% for buffering or pH adjustment, and it is stable in aqueous systems while also helping bind trace metal ions that can accelerate discoloration or oxidation.
Last updated 2026-05-13