Sodium Citrate Dihydrate

TL;DR. This ingredient is used mainly as a pH buffer and pH adjuster in water-based formulas. It also helps bind trace metal ions, which can support color, fragrance, and preservative stability.

What does Sodium Citrate Dihydrate do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is used mainly as a pH buffer and pH adjuster in water-based formulas. It also helps bind trace metal ions, which can support color, fragrance, and preservative stability.

Is Sodium Citrate Dihydrate clean?

From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well-tolerated and has little restricted-list friction. Sensory irritation is uncommon at normal use levels, though any strong buffer system can sting on very compromised skin.

Is Sodium Citrate Dihydrate sustainable?

This material is typically made from fermentation-derived organic acid neutralized with mineral alkali, then crystallized. It is water-soluble, readily biodegradable, and not associated with environmental persistence or bioaccumulation concerns.

Is Sodium Citrate Dihydrate COSMOS-approved?

It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic standards when manufactured and used according to the standard. It aligns well with Green Chemistry because it can be made from renewable fermentation feedstocks, uses straightforward neutralization chemistry, and has a favorable biodegradation profile.

How does Sodium Citrate Dihydrate work chemically?

The molecule is a hydrated sodium salt with three carboxylate groups, giving it buffering and mild chelating behavior in aqueous systems. It is commonly used around 0.1% to 1% and is most useful in mildly acidic to near-neutral formulas, often paired with its acid counterpart to set and hold pH.

Last updated 2026-05-13