Snapshot
- Overview
- A citrus-derived salt that balances pH and stabilizes formulas.
- Category
- Skin Conditioning
- Type
- Buffer
Sodium Citrate
Sodium citrate is the trisodium salt of citric acid, a water-soluble organic compound. It's used to regulate pH, improve stability, sequester metal ions that affect appearance, and support preservative efficacy in blends.
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Our take
Is Sodium Citrate a Good Ingredient?
It earns a Great rating as a widely validated buffer and chelator that improves formula stability and preservative performance, with low irritation risk at usual concentrations and excellent solubility.
What it does
Skin Benefits
It helps keep products gentle by moderating acidity and supporting a consistent feel over time, and can improve overall appearance by reducing off-tones caused by trace metals.
Where you'll find it
Uses in Skincare & Cosmetics
It's found in serums, moisturizers, and shampoos as a buffering salt and chelator that maintains formula integrity.
Before you use it
Safety
It's typically well tolerated; pH adjustments can occasionally sting on broken or very sensitive skin. No widely recognized regulatory restrictions apply at standard cosmetic use levels.
Products with Sodium Citrate
