Citric Acid God pH-adjuster-stabiliser No known benefits Citric Acid at a glance Used in small amounts to adjust the pH of products Originally derived from citrus fruits Now mostly derived from fermentation Keeps formulas from being too alkaline In certain concentrations, can exfoliate skin Citric Acid description Citric acid is a type of organic acid originally isolated from lemons (hence its name, as it was originally extracted from lemons and other citrus fruit). Most citric acid now is derived from the fermentation of sugars, in many cases molasses. In cosmetics it is used primarily in small amounts to adjust the pH of products to prevent them from being too alkaline, or basic. Citric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and as such, in the right formula and concentration, it can exfoliate skin. However, research on this ability so far has looked at much higher concentrations (20%, for example) than are typically used in skin care products - not to mention there’s proportionately more research on AHAs glycolic and lactic acids. Moreover, the AHAs lactic and glycolic acid have been shown to be more effective and less likely to promote a stinging reaction on skin. Related ingredients: Alpha Hydroxy Acid