Citric Acid
Citric Acid is a buffering and chelating ingredient. It’s in 3,879 products on Poliage, most often shampoo, body wash and conditioner. Avoid lists on Poliage that include it: none.
Updated October 26, 2026
In plain English
An acid found in citrus fruit, usually made by fermentation. Adjusts the pH of a formula and binds metal ions.
What it does
Contains Citric Acid: buffering
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Citric Acid: chelating
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Citric Acid: masking
Function listed in CosIng
Source: CosIng, the European Commission cosmetic ingredient database, ref 32858, accessed October 22, 2026. Also listed as acidum citricum and lemon acid.
Products that contain Citric Acid
Cetaphil
Restoraderm Soothing Wash
Cleanser · Lists sulfates, coconut derivatives
Freeman
Restorative Eye Cream + Overnight Leave-On Treatment
Eye cream · Lists silicones
Freeman
Restorative Makeup Remover + Cleansing Balm
Cleanser · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, coconut derivatives
Not Your Mother’s
Restore Conditioner
Conditioner · 13.0 fl oz · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, essential oils
Not Your Mother’s
Restore Shampoo
Shampoo · 13.0 fl oz · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, essential oils, coconut derivatives
CeraVe
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Serum · Lists drying alcohol, retinoid, silicones
Philosophy
resurfacing solution
Exfoliant · Lists drying alcohol, exfoliating acid
Grown Alchemist
Resurfacing Targeted Body Cleanser
Body wash · 300ml · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, essential oils, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
Grown Alchemist
Resurfacing Targeted Body Lotion
Body lotion · 300ml · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, essential oils, salicylic acid
Andalou Naturals
Resurfacing Triple Acid Exfoliating Toner
Toner · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, essential oils, coconut derivatives
Cocokind
Resurrection Polypeptide Cream
Moisturizer · Lists coconut derivatives
Caudalie
Resveratrol–Lift Firming Cashmere Body Cream with Firming Vine Resveratrol
Body lotion · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, essential oils, coconut derivatives
Allies of Skin
Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream
Moisturizer · Lists exfoliating acid, retinoid, salicylic acid
Murad
Retinal ReSculpt Eye Lifting Cream
Eye cream · Lists retinoid
Naturium
Retinol Complex Serum
Serum · Lists retinoid, coconut derivatives
The INKEY List
Retinol Eye Cream
Eye cream · Lists fragrance allergens, retinoid, coconut derivatives
Gold Bond
Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion
Body lotion · 13 oz · Lists retinoid, silicones
Murad
Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Mask
Mask · Lists retinoid
Murad
Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
Eye cream · Lists fragrance, retinoid
Null
rêve de miel
7ml · Label from Maroc · Ingredients incomplete, can’t check
Nivea
Réveil Express Fraîcheur 24H Agrumes
250 ml · Label from France · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, sulfates, chemical UV filters, coconut derivatives
L’Oréal
Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Face
1.0 fl oz (30 mL) · None of Poliage’s flag groups listed
Dove
Revitalize Body Wash
Body wash · 20 fl oz · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, coconut derivatives
Brickell Men’s Products
Revitalizing Hair & Scalp Conditioner for Men
Conditioner · 8 oz · Ingredients incomplete, can’t check
Related guides
How to read an ingredient list
What the ingredient list on a beauty product tells you, what the names mean, and what it leaves out, using FDA and EU labeling rules.
Does ingredient order show how much is in a product?
Ingredient lists run from most to least, but only down to 1%. Below that, any order is allowed. What the order shows and what it hides.
How do you patch test a new product?
What the AAD, FDA and DermNet say about testing a small area, the FDA hair dye skin test, in-office patch tests, and contact allergy basics.