Citric acid is that G.O.A.T.G.O.A.T. that is not talked about enough in the skincare world. You may find this ingredient in the product description list if you check your face wash or face lotion. It seems to be in almost everything… yet does not get the recognition it deserves. In this article, we will be righting that wrong.
Citric acid is an Alpha hydroxy acid (A.H.A.) derived from citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, limes, and lemons.
It falls under the A.H.A. category along with glycolic and lactic acid, yet for some reason, citric acid is the least talked about. Citric acid deserves its time in the spotlight as well, so we’ll be discussing all its glowing benefits.
Source: PROCOAL
Benefits of Citric acid for the skin
Seeing as Citric acid is an A.H.A., it does what any other A.H.A. would do. The primary duty of an A.H.A. is to promote exfoliation and skin cell turnover. Citric acid ensures this and more benefits like;
– It works as an antioxidant and protects the skin from free radicals.
– It helps to maintain the P.H. level of the skin
– Helps to even the skin tone
– Brightens, softens and smoothens
– Acts as a chemical exfoliant
– Unclogs pores
– It is a natural astringent
– It helps to maintain a healthy skin barrier
– It hydrates the skin, thereby fighting off fine lines and wrinkles
The downside of Citric acid for the skin
Though citric acid has many benefits for the skin, these benefits may be challenging to come by, and the molecular size of Citric acid causes this. You see, out of all the A.H.A.’s, the molecular size of citric acid is the largest.
So, while the skin can easily absorb glycolic acid (whose size is the smallest), citric acid is more challenging to absorb. This makes citric acid less potent than other A.H.A.s.
The good side is that Citric acid’s molecular size makes it great for someone with extremely sensitive skin. If your skin has reactions with other AHAs, it may favor citric acid instead. Mind you, this must be confirmed by a dermatologist before trial.
Side effects of Citric acid
Citric acid may have many benefits, but you must remember that it is still acidic in nature. This means that you must exercise caution before use. It is strongly advised that you seek out a dermatologist before including it in your skin routine, especially for people with sensitive skin.
Citric acid is an A.H.A. derived from citrus fruits such as lime, lemon, oranges. Like its counterparts (A.H.A.’s), its primary benefit to the skin is exfoliation and skin cell turnover. Citric acid is the gentlest of the A.H.A.’s and can be used by men and women of all ages.
