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Citric Acid

Citric Acid

What-it-does: buffering

Details

Citric acid comes from citrus fruits and is an AHA. If these magic three letters don’t tell you anything, click here and read our detailed description on glycolic acid, the most famous AHA. 

So citric acid is an exfoliant, that can - just like other AHAs - gently lift off the dead skin cells of your skin and make it more smooth and fresh. 

There is also some research showing that citric acid with regular use (think three months and 20% concentration) can help sun-damaged skin, increase skin thickness and some nice hydrating things called glycosaminoglycans in the skin. 

But according to a comparative study done in 1995, citric acid has less skin improving magic properties than glycolic or lactic acid. Probably that’s why citric acid is usually not used as an exfoliant but more as a helper ingredient in small amounts to adjust the pH of a formulation. 

Show me some proof

  • Dermatologic Surgery, Volume 23 (8) – Aug 1, 1997, Citric Acid Increases Viable Epidermal Thickness and Glycosaminoglycan Content of Sundamaged Skin
  • Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 34, Issue 2, Part 1, , February 1996, Pages 187–195, Effects of α-hydroxy acids on photoaged skin: Apilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, , Volume 18 (2) – Apr 1, 1996, Comparative effectiveness of α‐hydroxy acids on skin properties

Products with Citric Acid

Blueland Foaming Hand Soap Dr Bronner Pure Castille Bar Soap (unscented) Goodnest 3-in-1 Wash, Shampoo, And Soak - Pure Fragrance-free LACURA Healthy Glow Vitamin C Toner Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo 4peoplewhocare Aloe Vera Gel Pure Alvira Cloud Foam - Coconut Water Amara Beauty Aloe Vera Gel Apsara Skin Care Rose Dew Natural Facial Toner Avene Rosamed BIOPHORA Sen-Citric Lotion BNB Body N Body Brightening Rice Scrub Organic Source Baselift Super Luminous Toner Be Plus Clean On Me Makeup Remover Be Plus Vitamin C Face Soap Bioderma Pigmentbio Foaming Cream Bioderma White Objective Moussant CREIGHTONS THE CURL COMPANY Sulphate-free Shampoo Celenes Thermal Cleansing Foaming Gel Da Bomb Bath Fizzers Amaze Balls Fruit Bath Bomb Jar Dellara Bio Plastia Leave In Derma Essentia Trichoedge Hair Revitalzing Shampoo Epsolay (Benzoyl Peroxide) Cream, 5% Exuviance Daily Resurfacing Peel Fizz & Bubble Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Large Bath Fizzy Fizz & Bubble Unicorn Swirl Shimmer Large Bath Fizzy Glymed Plus Glycolic Facial Cleanser Hempz Pure Hemp Invigorating Bath Fizzer Ivy Aïa Face Serum Hyaluronic Acid Joon x Moon Bubbling Bath Fizz Fresh Melon, Watermelon & Fruit Joon x Moon Floral Lavender Bubbling Bath Fizz Koi Sizzling Bath Fizz Geranium & Petitgrain Korres Olympus Tea Cleansing Foaming Cream KräuterhoF Aloe Vera Pflege- Und Fitness Gel L. pH Balanced Wipes Lush Deep Sleep Lush I Want My Mummy Bath Bomb Lush Sex Bomb Lush Tisty Tosty Lush Toby's Magic Cow Medi derma Target Cream Nectar of bio Gel Limpiador Suave Neutral Baby Oil Nioxin Scalp Recovery Anti-dandruff Purifying Cleanser For Itchy, Flaky Scalp OXY Deep Pore Acne Vanishing Treatment OXY Emergency Wash OXY Maximum Action Sensitive Advanced Face Wash OXY Maximum Strength Acne Cleanser OXY Rapid Treatment Face Wash OXY Sensitive Face Wash