Trisodium Citrate
What is Trisodium Citrate?
Trisodium Citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid, a naturally occurring organic acid found in citrus fruits. In skincare formulations, it functions primarily as a pH adjuster, buffering agent, and chelating agent to stabilize products and enhance the efficacy of preservatives by binding metal ions. It is water-soluble and commonly used in cleansers, toners, and moisturizers to maintain optimal pH levels for skin compatibility.
Roles in Formulation
This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:
Buffering agent
Maintains the pH stability of a formulation.
Chelating agent
Binds to metal ions to prevent them from affecting product stability or skin.
PH adjuster
Raises or lowers pH to the target range, supporting ingredient performance, preservative efficacy, stability, and user comfort.