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Know Your Ingredients: Citric Acid

Posted by beautifulwithbrains | May 23, 2009 .

citric acid

What it is
Citric Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). It exists in a variety of fruits and vegetables like lemons, limes, oranges, tangerines and blackberries but can also be made from fermented sugar solutions. At room temperature, it is a white, crystalline powder.

What it does
Citric Acid is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a preservative and to adjust the ph balance.
It is also used to impart a lemon-like fragrance to a product.
In addition, Citric Acid, is also said to have antioxidant and toning properties.

Side effects
Excessive exposure to Citric Acid can cause mild skin and eye irritations. Allergies are rare, but can occurr.
In addition, Citric Acid, may increase photosensitivity, so products containing this ingredient should be used in conjunction with a sunscreen.

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2 Comments so far
  1. jojoba May 23, 2009 10:58 pm

    i always think this ingredient as a food addictive. :)

    i think i need to avoid it as it’s photosensitive. i can’t afford to have more spots!

  2. beautifulwithbrains May 24, 2009 12:39 pm

    jojoba, if you use a sunscreen with it, you should be fine. And yes, it is also used in as a flavouring and preservatives in food too.

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