Citric Acid

Citric Acid is a buffering and chelating ingredient. It’s in 3,890 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

MURAD CLEANSER
Murad
Clarifying Cream Cleanser
Cleanser · Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, essential oils, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
OLAY CLEANSER
Olay
Clarifying Daily Facial Cleanser with Niacinamide
Cleanser · Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
CLINIQUE EXFOLIANT
Clinique
Clarifying Do-Over Peel
Exfoliant · Lists drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, salicylic acid
ACT+ACRE SHAMPOO
Act+Acre
Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo
Shampoo · 10 oz · Lists fragrance, essential oils, coconut derivatives
MOROCCANOIL SHAMPOO
Moroccanoil
Clarifying Shampoo
Shampoo · 8.5 fl oz · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, coconut derivatives
KRISTIN ESS SHAMPOO
Kristin Ess
Clarifying Shampoo
Shampoo · 10 FL OZ · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, sulfates, coconut derivatives
SACHAJUAN SHAMPOO
Sachajuan
CLARIFYING SHAMPOO
Shampoo · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, essential oils, coconut derivatives
HERBAL ESSENCES SHAMPOO
Herbal Essences
Clarifying Tea Tree Shampoo
Shampoo · Lists fragrance, essential oils, sulfates, coconut derivatives
MURAD TONER
Murad
Clarifying Toner for Acne–Prone Skin
Toner · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, silicones
TULA TONER
Tula
Clarifying Tonic
Toner · Lists exfoliating acid
CLARINS
Clarins
ClarinsMen Shampooing Douche
200ml · Label from France · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
INNERSENSE CONDITIONER
Innersense
Clarity Conditioner
Conditioner · 10oz · Lists coconut derivatives
PIXI
pixi
Clarity Tonic
3.4 fl.oz/100ml e · Label from United Arab Emirates · Lists exfoliating acid, salicylic acid
LACURA
Lacura
Classic Anti-dandruff Shampoo
500 ml · Label from United Kingdom · Ingredients incomplete, can’t check
HEAD & SHOULDERS
Head & Shoulders
Classic Après-Shampooing
250 ml · Label from France · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, silicones
HEAD & SHOULDERS
Head & Shoulders
Classic Clean
300 ml · Label from Germany · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, sulfates, silicones, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
HEAD & SHOULDERS
Head & Shoulders
Classic Clean Anti-dandruff Shampoo
400 ml · Label from United Kingdom · Ingredients incomplete, can’t check
RAHUA SHAMPOO
Rahua
Classic Shampoo
Shampoo · 9.3 oz · Lists essential oils, coconut derivatives
Clean and Clear Day/Night Cleanser
Lists fragrance, sulfates, parabens, coconut derivatives
UNILEVER
Unilever
Clean Comfort
50 ml · Label from France and Germany · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens
MRS. MEYERS
Mrs. Meyers
Clean Day Dish Soap Refill
48oz 1.5qt 1.42L · Ingredients incomplete, can’t check
MRS. MEYER’S
Mrs. Meyer’s
Clean Day Hand Soap
12.5 FL oz. 370ml · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, essential oils, coconut derivatives
COVERGIRL FOUNDATION
COVERGIRL
Clean Fresh Nourishing Skin Tint
Foundation · Lists drying alcohol, silicones, coconut derivatives
HENKEL
Henkel
Clean Pulse
300 ml · Label from France · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, sulfates, coconut derivatives

Related guides