Disliked

Citric Acid

Explained

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

See all 25,080 products with Citric Acid

Users who like it
16%
Users who avoid it
84%

What it does

Masking Obscuring or blocking
Buffering Buffering ingredients help stabilise or adjust the ph level of a product.

Prevalence

Common Percentage of products that contain it
27%
Top categories
Cleansers
Treatments
Moisturizers
Position Predominant list placement
Bottom 25%
Concentration Concentrations we've seen
0% to 7%

References

CosIng Data

CosIng ID 32858
INCI Name CITRIC ACID
INN Name citric acid
EC #  201-069-1
Ph. Eur. Name acidum citricum
All Functions Buffering, Chelating, Masking