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.

believe in ingredients: citric acid
Find Your Nearest Skinbase™ Therapist Today

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. 

Download a FREE beauty guide

Discover our collection of free beauty guides.

ageing skin guide

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.

Ingredients Deep Dive

You can find out more about other popular skincare ingredients over on the SkinBase blog:

Find a Therapist 

Find your nearest SkinBase Therapist here to get started with SkinBase Hydro.

before and after skinbase hydro rebecca willshee nail and beauty specialistbefore and after skinbase hydro rebecca willshee nail and beauty specialist 2
Acne & Acne Scarring, Hydro

Rebecca Willshee Nail and Beauty Specialist

Testimonial: “JC was so low, suicidal at points. Sore, red, angry, his skin was awful, we had tried everything and doctors you name it. We reached out to Becky, who was wonderful. My son was quiet and withdrawn, lacked confidence and self esteem, and locked himself away from the world. Becky booked us in for a consultation to discuss different options of treatments and we decided the new hydro treatment would be the best option. We started the course and JC was nervous but Becky was great with him talking him through everything, step by step! As we went each time JC’s skin got better and better, but also the difference in him was huge, he was gaining confidence, shoulders back, head held high. We have watched his skin change from this red, aggressive, angry skin that was sore, acne was debilitating to him but now he is confident, holds his head up high and has even got his first job! We are so proud. When we met Becky I felt confident she would help us get his skin better and back on track but what has actually happened is skin looks amazing but to see our son gain confidence has been the biggest win! Teens often get pushed aside, put on string meds and told “it’s just your age” but this isn’t what they want to hear, but The SkinBase treatments Becky has done has changed his life! We cannot thank you enough Becky! JC is continuing with the treatments as it still gets the odd breakouts but the scarring is still improving week in week out. The hydro Facial is just amazing and we cannot recommend it enough and of course Becky and her passion for skin and helping people is wonderful!”