Acide citrique (Acide citrique) - ph adjuster, chelating agent, exfoliant, preservative

INCI Name

Acide citrique

Functions

4 Roles

Sustainability

8/10

What It Does

Citric acid is a naturally occurring tricarboxylic acid found abundantly in citrus fruits and produced industrially via fungal fermentation. In cosmetic formulations, it is one of the most widely used pH-adjusting agents due to its excellent buffering capacity, water solubility, and mild chelating action that helps sequester metal ions and enhance preservative efficacy. Formulators also value it as a mild alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that can contribute to gentle exfoliation and skin brightening at higher concentrations, making it a multifunctional and cost-effective ingredient.

Optimizes formula stability

Ensures skin compatibility

Maximizes ingredient efficacy

Prevents irritation

Technical Properties

pH Range

1.0-3.5

Optimal working range

Ionic Charge

anionic

Molecular charge type

Viscosity Effect

neutral

Impact on formula thickness

Foaming Ability

none

Lather generation

Ingredient Compatibility

Works Well With

AHA and BHA acidsnonionic surfactantsanionic surfactantshumectantsmost emollientswater-soluble activespreservatives

Avoid Combining

strong oxidizing agentsstrong basescarbomer thickeners at high concentrationsproteins at low pH

Compatibility analysis powered by OpenMix — open-source formulation science

Sustainability Profile

Sustainability Score

8/10

Biodegradability

readily biodegradable

Source

fermentation

Feedstock

Derived primarily through microbial fermentation of sugars using Aspergillus niger mold, though it also occurs naturally in citrus fruits. Industrial production relies on glucose or sucrose feedstocks.