What Is Citric Acid?
What It Is
Citric acid is a naturally occurring organic acid found in citrus fruits and widely produced commercially, including through biotechnology and fermentation.
What It Does
In cosmetics, the source identifies citric acid as useful for pH adjustment, buffering and chelation. It also serves as the acid component of many effervescent bath-bomb systems.
How It Functions in a Formulation
When citric acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate in the presence of water, the acid-base reaction releases carbon dioxide and creates the characteristic fizz of an effervescent product. Its actual contribution depends on the finished formula and concentration.
Safety and Tolerance
The source does not support assuming that citric acid is automatically exfoliating or therapeutic in every bath formulation. Tolerance depends on concentration and the finished product.
What the Source Supports
The source supports citric acid as a pH-adjusting, buffering and chelating material and as an acid component of effervescent bath formulations.