tripotassium citrate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily used as a pH adjuster and buffering agent, helping formulas hold a stable acidic to near-neutral pH. It can also lightly bind metal ions, which can support stability in water-based products.
What does tripotassium citrate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily used as a pH adjuster and buffering agent, helping formulas hold a stable acidic to near-neutral pH. It can also lightly bind metal ions, which can support stability in water-based products.
Is tripotassium citrate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is generally well tolerated and has little restricted-list friction. Sensitization concerns are low, and the main formulation consideration is using it at levels that keep the finished product in a skin-appropriate pH range.
Is tripotassium citrate sustainable?
It is typically made by neutralizing a fermentation-derived organic acid with an inorganic potassium base, often in water-based processing. It is readily biodegradable and does not raise persistence or bioaccumulation concerns.
Is tripotassium citrate COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic standards when sourced and processed according to the standard’s allowed-input rules. Its Green Chemistry fit is strong because it can use fermentation-derived feedstock, simple neutralization chemistry, and yields a biodegradable material.
How does tripotassium citrate work chemically?
The molecule is a highly water-soluble, triply ionized potassium carboxylate that dissociates in water and provides buffering across related acid-base regions around pH 3.1, 4.8, and 6.4. Typical use is often below 1% for pH control, with higher levels in dedicated buffer systems, and it is stable across normal cosmetic pH ranges, though added electrolytes can influence some polymer thickeners.
Last updated 2026-05-13