Services 2

Citric Acid

  • Citric Acid Raw Material: Unveiling the Secret Behind This Natural Acid
  • Unleashing the Benefits of Citric Acid: From Skincare to Household Cleaning
  • From Food Preservation to Skincare: The Versatile Applications of Citric Acid
  • Formulating with Citric Acid: Tips and Tricks for Maximum Effectiveness
  • Digging Deeper: Additional Resources on Citric Acid and Its Uses
  • Using Citric Acid Safely: Best Practices and Precautions to Keep in Mind
Essentially, Citric Acid is a natural and abundant organic acid found in citrus fruits like limes and lemons. It can also be manufactured for industrial purposes and is widely used in a range of products, including food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, detergents, bath products, skincare, and haircare.
Thanks to its diverse benefits, Citric Acid is a popular choice for natural formulations. It can adjust and correct pH levels, improve product stability and shelf-life, enhance the performance of other active ingredients, and even create delightful fizzing effects in bath and spa products.
Furthermore, Citric Acid offers a host of skincare benefits. As an AHA acid, it promotes skin exfoliation for a fresher, firmer complexion, while its antioxidant properties make it a valuable ingredient in anti-aging skincare products.
Citric Acid is a naturally occurring compound that is abundant in citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits. While it has an essential role in the metabolic processes of living organisms, it is also commercially produced for industrial applications in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
As a versatile raw material, Citric Acid can be found in a wide range of products across various sectors. In food and beverages, it can serve as a preservative, pH regulator, stabilizer, and acidulant, adding a sharp, sour taste to the finished product. In pharmaceuticals, it can act as an anticoagulant and chelating agent, helping to prevent blood clots. In cosmetics and personal care products, Citric Acid is an affordable ingredient often used to make bath bombs and adjust the pH levels of formulations.
NDA's Citric Acid (Anhydrous USP/FCC) Raw Material is a top-quality, fine crystalline powder produced through the fermentation of corn and sugar beets. It meets the monograph standards of the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) and FCC (Food Chemical Codex) and is free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The benefits of Citric Acid.

Citric Acid offers a wealth of benefits for use in cosmetics and personal care products. Its fine, uniform powder consistency allows for easy dissolution in water and effortless blending with other ingredients, making it a versatile and valuable addition to many formulations, including all-natural products.
One of the key benefits of Citric Acid is its ability to adjust and regulate the pH of products. As a weak organic acid, it can effectively lower the pH of formulations, which can help to increase their efficacy and stability.
Additionally, Citric Acid can act as a chelating agent, which means it can bind to metal ions and help to remove impurities from formulations. This property is particularly useful in cosmetic products, as it can help to improve their texture and appearance.
Citric Acid also offers exfoliating benefits for the skin. As an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), it can help to promote cell turnover and reveal fresher, smoother, and brighter-looking skin. It also has antioxidant properties, making it a valuable addition to anti-aging formulations. Overall, Citric Acid is a versatile and beneficial ingredient that can enhance the performance and stability of cosmetic and personal care products. Maintaining the proper pH level in skincare formulations is essential for both product quality and safety. An optimal pH can improve the efficacy of active ingredients, enhance the sensory experience of the product, and reduce the likelihood of irritation or other adverse reactions. In addition to its other benefits, Citric Acid is a popular ingredient used for pH adjustment in skincare and personal care formulations. As a weak organic acid, it can effectively lower the pH of a product, making it more acidic and improving its overall stability and performance. By carefully adjusting the pH of a formulation with Citric Acid, formulators can ensure that their products are safe, effective, and enjoyable to use. This can help to improve customer satisfaction and build brand loyalty over time.
Citric Acid plays an important role in maintaining the stability and longevity of cosmetic products. In addition to pH adjustment, Citric Acid also has chelating properties that can help to improve the efficacy of preservatives and antioxidants.
Chelating agents like Citric Acid work by binding to trace metal ions in a product, preventing them from reacting with other ingredients and degrading the product over time. This can help to prevent rancidity, discoloration, and other common problems that can occur in cosmetic formulations.
By using Citric Acid as a chelating agent, formulators can improve the stability and shelf-life of their products, ensuring that they remain effective and safe to use for longer periods of time. This can be especially important for products that are exposed to light, heat, or other environmental factors that can accelerate degradation.
In skincare, Citric Acid is recognized for its exfoliating and antioxidant properties. As an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid), it can help remove dead skin cells, dirt and debris to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. AHAs are commonly found in chemical peels and acne treatments for their ability to exfoliate the skin. Citric Acid also has antioxidant benefits, helping to protect the skin against free radical damage and contributing to a firmer, more toned appearance. Additionally, it can improve the appearance of scars, spots, and other pigmentation issues, leading to a more even skin tone.
Citric Acid is often used in shampoo formulations to bring the pH levels down, which improves the hair's appearance and manageability by reducing frizz. It can also be used in rinses to help lift or fade colors out of the hair.
Citric Acid is an essential ingredient in bath bomb formulations due to its ability to produce effervescence (fizzing) when combined with Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate). This reaction is what creates the bubbling and fizzing effect that many people enjoy in their bath bombs. The reaction is caused by the Citric Acid reacting with the Baking Soda to release carbon dioxide gas, which creates the fizzy effect. This reaction can also help to break down oils and other ingredients in the bath bomb, allowing them to spread evenly throughout the water and provide a more relaxing and enjoyable experience.

HOW TO INCORPORATE CITRIC ACID INTO YOUR COSMETIC FORMULATIONS?

Citric Acid is a versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into a wide range of cosmetic formulations, including but not limited to creams, lotions, serums, cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, and bath products. Its multi-functional properties make it a valuable addition to many types of cosmetics.
To adjust the pH level of a formulation, Citric Acid can be added in the form of a solution. A 50% Citric Acid solution can be prepared by weighing an equal amount of Citric Acid Raw Material and Distilled Water. Slowly add the Citric Acid to the water while stirring continuously until fully dissolved. The resulting solution can be stored in a suitable container and used as required. It is important to ensure that the solution is at room temperature before use. The solution can then be added drop by drop to the formulation while monitoring the pH level until the desired level is reached.
To make bath bombs with Citric Acid, combine it with baking soda and other dry ingredients in the desired ratio (usually 1:2). Mix the ingredients well and shape them into the desired mold. You can also add essential oils, colorants, and other additives to enhance the bath bomb experience. For a detailed guide on how to make your own DIY bath bombs, check out our comprehensive tutorial.
Elevate Your Cosmetic Formulations with Citric Acid - This versatile ingredient enhances the performance, stability, and overall experience of cosmetic products. With its solubility in water, Citric Acid can be added to a wide range of cosmetics that contain water, making it a valuable addition to your formulations.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Explore the world of personalized luxury bath bombs with our easy-to-follow DIY base recipe available here. Curious about the various benefits and uses of other widely used cosmetic raw materials? Check out our informative articles on Zinc Oxide, Hyaluronic Acid, and Silk Raw Materials to expand your knowledge!

USING CITRIC ACID SAFELY

Just like all other products from New Directions Aromatics, Citric Acid (Anhydrous USP/FCC) Raw Material is intended solely for external use. We highly recommend seeking medical advice before using this product for therapeutic purposes. Individuals who are pregnant or nursing, as well as those with sensitive skin, should exercise caution when using Citric Acid Raw Material and should consult with a physician prior to use. To ensure safety, this product should always be stored in an area that is out of reach of children, especially those under the age of 7.
Citric Acid has the potential to cause skin irritations, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin or extended contact. Before using any topical formulations containing Citric Acid Raw Material, it is recommended to conduct a skin test. This can be done by applying a small amount of the final formulation to a non-sensitive area of skin, about the size of a dime. Citric Acid should never be used near the eyes, inner nose and ears, or any other particularly sensitive areas of skin. Potential side effects of Citric Acid may include itching, burning, swelling, rashes, redness, sunburn, and other forms of irritation. If you experience an allergic reaction, discontinue use of the product and seek immediate medical attention from a doctor, pharmacist, or allergist. To prevent any potential side effects, it is best to consult with a medical professional prior to use.

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE:

All products from New Directions Aromatics (NDA) are intended for external use only, unless otherwise specified. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and should not be used by individuals who are pregnant or under the care of a medical professional. For additional information, please refer to our policies and our disclaimer provided below.
PRODUCT TYPE & FUNCTION EFFECTS
When incorporated into these types of formulations...
Creams, emulsions, serums, solutions, ointments, balms, tonics, foams, shampoos, and hair conditioners.

Citric Acid functions as a(n):

  • pH adjuster
  • Antioxidant
  • Stabilizer
  • Exfoliant
  • Chelating agent

It helps to:

Modify the pH level to match the skin's natural acid mantle, which can minimize the risk of irritations and maintain the integrity of the skin barrier.
Improve the efficacy and longevity of preservatives and antioxidants, leading to longer-lasting product shelf-life.
Enhance the stability and effectiveness of various actives, colorants, and thickeners, resulting in superior product performance.
Aid in skin exfoliation, renewal, and brightening for a smoother and brighter complexion.
Promote hair manageability and decrease frizz for more manageable and lustrous locks.
Help protect against damage caused by free radicals, preserving the skin's youthful appearance.

The recommended maximum dosage is 0.5%.

When added to these kinds of formulations...
Soap products and detergents

Citric Acid functions as a(n):

  • Chelating agent
  • Antioxidant
  • Exfoliant

It helps to:

Reduce the rate of oxidation leading to issues of discoloration such as 'Dreaded Orange Spots'.
Boost the soap's lathering and cleaning properties.
Extend the soap's shelf life.

The recommended maximum dosage is 1%.

When added to these kinds of formultions...
Bath bombs, bath fizzies, and bath salts

Citric Acid functions as a(n):

  • Acidic reagent
  • Antioxidant
  • Exfoliant

It helps to:

React with Baking Soda to create fizzing and elevate the experience of bath products.
Assist with skin exfoliation, renewal, and brightening
Assist with protection against free radical damage.

The recommended maximum dosage is 30%.