We can figure this one out from the name, right? Citric, as in “comes from citrus fruit”? Acid, as in “has a pH level less than 7.0“?
Citric acid is naturally found in citrus fruits. Lemons and limes are among the fruits with the highest concentrations of citric acid — and this is what gives lemons and limes their sour taste. Oranges and tangerines are sweeter, and have less citric acid than their sour cousins. Citric acid is also found in some berries, like raspberries and blackberries.
If you’re a label reader like I am, you’ve probably seen citric acid in beauty products AND food products… and cleaning products. It’s a very versatile preservative!
Citric acid bonds very easily with minerals and metals. This can help the body absorb those minerals — for example, the body absorbs calcium citrate better than it absorbs calcium alone. Citric acid is also useful in water softening for this reason — minerals bond with the citric acid and are then removed from water before drinking. You may see citric acid in shampoos, to help protect hair from minerals in bathing water. However, too much citric acid can strip hair of necessary minerals.
Citric acid is a common food additive. It flavors sodas, is a handy meat tenderizer, and makes candies sour. That white powder on your favorite sour candy? It’s probably citric acid! That citric acid provides an extra jolt of sour flavor. Citric acid is often used as a flavoring in vitamin C chewables.
On the beauty side of things, citric acid is often seen in skin masks and lotions. However, in large quantities, citric acid may be mildly irritating to skin — especially if you have sensitive skin to begin with. Citric acid is one of the two ingredients needed to make fizzy bath bombs. When combined with sodium bicarbonate and dropped into the bathtub, citric acid makes the water bubbly.
In general, products that contain citric acid are safe for internal and external use. People with extremely sensitive skin may experience irritation if they use too many products that contain citric acid. People can also have stomach sentitivity after eating foods that contain citric acid.