Snapshot
- Overview
- A pH-balancing ingredient that keeps formulas gentle on skin.
- Category
- Sensitive Skin
- Type
- pH Adjuster
Potassium Citrate
Potassium Citrate is the tripotassium salt of citric acid, a white, freely water-soluble crystalline solid. In skincare it buffers and fine-tunes pH, balances electrolytes, and boosts stability in cleansers, lotions, gels, and mists.
Like this ingredient?
Our take
Is Potassium Citrate a Good Ingredient?
Rated Good for reliable pH buffering that helps keep formulas skin-comfortable and consistent. Benefits are mostly indirect, so it doesn’t reach Great despite solid performance and low irritation potential.
What it does
Skin Benefits
Maintains a skin-comfortable acidity that can support barrier-friendly conditions and reduce pH-related irritation. Provides reliable pH control for consistent feel across uses.
Where you'll find it
Uses in Skincare & Cosmetics
Common in micellar waters, gel-cream moisturizers, and emulsion moisturizers to keep acidity within a target range.
Before you use it
Safety
Low irritation risk at usual use levels. If overused or if pH is mis-set, it can contribute to irritation; formulators should verify final pH. No common regulatory limits noted for topical use.
Products with Potassium Citrate
