An organic acid commonly used to adjust the pH of cosmetic formulas.
Sources: 1, 2No alternative names recorded.
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Citric Acid
What it does
Often controls acidity rather than acting as an exfoliating treatment. Its position on a label does not establish an exfoliating dose.
Sources: 1, 2Good for
- Formula pH control
How to use it
Use a finished product with a controlled pH. Do not add concentrated acid to a product at home.
Sources: 1, 2Who should be careful
Concentrated acids can irritate or burn skin. A low-level pH adjuster is different from a peel.
Sources: 1, 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Changes the acid-base balance of the formula; it can also bind certain metal ions.
Sources: 1, 2Potential adverse effects
Excess acidity or unsuitable exposure can cause stinging, irritation or burns.
Sources: 1, 2Formulation considerations
Final pH, buffering and concentration determine its effect and tolerance.
Sources: 1, 2Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1, 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
citric acid
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 311 | PubChem compound 311: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C6H8O7 | PubChem compound 311: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 192.12 g/mol | PubChem compound 311: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (3)
Scientific sources
- CIR: Citric acid, inorganic citrate salts and alkyl citrate esterssafety assessment · 2014
- FDA: Alpha hydroxy acids in cosmeticsregulatory safety guidance
- PubChem compound 311: chemical identitychemical identity
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