Blog: Ingredients Deep Dive – Citric Acid

Citric acid (CA) is derived from citrus fruits, such as lemons. It is versatile, with a variety of uses in skincare. Read on for a deep dive.

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Citric acid (CA) is derived from citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits. It is a versatile ingredient with a variety of uses in skincare. Read on to take a deep dive into CA and find out how it can benefit your skin.

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How Does Citric Acid Work?

Citric acid is used in skincare as a pH balancer, an exfoliant and an antioxidant.

pH Balancer

As a pH balancer, a small amount of citric acid is added to products that are too alkaline. Citric acid has a natural pH of 2, so easily adjusts the formula of alkaline products to become more acidic.

AHA

CA is also an Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and works to exfoliate the skin, enhance the cell turnover process and reveal the fresh, smooth skin below.

Antioxidant

Citric acid has unique properties as an AHA, as it also acts as an antioxidant. Therefore, products containing CA help to combat oxidative damage from external aggressors, such as sun damage and pollution.

Citric Acid Benefits

As a result of the many uses of citric acid, there are also a variety of benefits of using CA in your skincare.

Exfoliant Properties – As all AHA’s do, citric acid acts as a chemical exfoliant, and removes dead cells and debris from the surface of the skin. This process occurs as CA dissolves the ‘glue’ keeping the dead skin cells stuck together. Once they are removed, the fresher skin below is revealed.

Helps Maintain pH of Skin – As well as balancing the pH of skin care products, CA is also great as a pH balancer of the skin. Normal skin barrier function occurs when the skin has a ‘weakly acidic’ pH of around 4.5/5. Skin that is too alkaline will not function as effectively as possible. Citric acid is pH 2, so it brings down the pH of skin when necessary.

Tolerable for Sensitive Skin – Citric acid is safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Like mandelic acid, CA has a larger molecular size than the average AHA, so it does not penetrate as deeply into the skin, and absorbs more slowly. As a result, it is less likely to cause irritation, and a great choice for those with sensitive skin.

Lightens Dark Spots & Pigmentation – Citric acid has been clinically proven to improve the appearance of pigmentation and dark spots on the skin. This powerful ingredient inhibits excess melanin production to reduce hyperpigmentation. However, it is important to note that citric acid, like other AHA’s, increases sun sensitivity. So – don’t forget your SPF!

Natural Astringent – CA is a natural astringent and works to dry out excess oils within the skin. It is a great ingredient for those with an oily, acne-prone complexion.

Studies suggest the benefits of citric acid are dependent on the amount of time it is left on the skin for. So, if you want to take advantage of the range of benefits listed above, and achieve firmer, glowing skin, choose CA skincare that stays on the skin.

SkinBase Hydro

SkinBase Hydro focuses on overall skin health through the infusion of actives and botanicals that stay on the skin post-treatment to enhance the benefits of the ingredients.

Clarifying Hydro Facial

The SkinBase Hydro treatment has a range of hardworking serums available. One of which is the clarifying serum, which contains citric acid. The clarifying facial works to fight breakouts, reduce inflammation and minimise excess oil productions, to calm and heal acne prone skin. The ingredients within the serum work together to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. CA promotes exfoliation and cell turnover, while restoring moisture to your skin to treat breakouts.

Why Do I Need a Facial?

Though you can incorporate citric acid skincare into your daily routine, leaving it to the professionals and having a regular SkinBase Hydro facial is an excellent way to achieve your skin goals. The clarifying serum is applied using a vacuum action, allowing the ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin to address various concerns associated with acne-prone skin. Concerns such as inflammation, excess oil production, pore congestion, and breakouts are all tackled by the facial treatment. The ingredients, including citric acid, help to soothe, clarify, and improve the overall health and appearance of the skin, promoting a clearer, more balanced complexion.