INCI Name
Citric Acid
Botanical Name
None (naturally derived from citrus fruits)
Citric Acid is a naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acid derived from citrus fruits, widely used in skincare for its gentle exfoliating and pH-balancing properties. It helps maintain product stability by chelating metals and enhancing preservative efficacy, while supporting brighter, smoother-looking skin when used in appropriate concentrations.
pH adjuster, chelating agent, preservative booster, exfoliant
Product Type(s):
Typical Usage Range:
0.1–2% (for pH adjustment and exfoliation; lower for facial products)
Gently exfoliates dead skin cells, helps balance skin pH, supports product preservation, enhances antioxidant performance
Primary Components:
Citric acid (2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propane-tricarboxylic acid)
May cause irritation on sensitive or broken skin, avoid high concentrations in leave-on products
Preferred Extraction Method:
Fermentation of sugars or citrus fruit juice
Look for cosmetic grade anhydrous citric acid, preferably derived from natural fermentation or citrus fruits
Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:
*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.
Citric Acid
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