Citric Acid is a naturally occurring organic acid commonly found in citrus fruits and is widely used across the food, beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, personal care, and cleaning industries. It is typically supplied as a white crystalline powder or granules with a characteristic sour taste.

In the food and beverage industry, Food Grade Citric Acid is widely used as an acidulant, acidity regulator, flavor enhancer, and preservative aid. It helps provide a pleasant sour taste and can contribute to product stability when used appropriately. It is commonly found in beverages, candies, jams, jellies, sauces, confectionery, and other food products.

In cosmetic and personal care formulations, Citric Acid is commonly used for pH adjustment and can also function as a chelating/sequestering ingredient. It is used in shampoos, conditioners, creams, lotions, facial products, liquid soaps, and other water-based formulations.

Citric Acid is also a popular ingredient in bath bombs, where it reacts with sodium bicarbonate in the presence of water to produce the characteristic fizzing effect.

In household and industrial cleaning products, it can help remove mineral deposits, limescale, and certain residues and is therefore used in descaling and cleaning formulations.

Because Citric Acid is available in different grades, the appropriate grade should always be selected according to the intended application.

Key Features

• High-Purity Citric Acid
• Excellent Acidulant
• Effective pH Adjuster
• Water Soluble
• Sour & Refreshing Taste
• Useful Chelating/Sequestering Agent
• Suitable for Food & Beverage Applications
• Excellent for Bath Bomb Formulations
• Useful in Cosmetic & Personal Care Products
• Effective Ingredient for Descaling Formulations

Applications / Uses

1. Food & Beverage Industry

Food Grade Citric Acid is commonly used in:

• Soft Drinks
• Fruit Drinks
• Juices
• Flavored Beverages
• Candy
• Jelly
• Jam
• Marmalade
• Confectionery
• Sauces
• Pickles
• Desserts
• Food Premixes

Main Functions

• Acidity Regulator
• Sour Taste Enhancer
• Flavor Modifier
• Chelating Agent
• Preservative Aid

2. Cosmetics & Personal Care

Citric Acid is widely used for pH adjustment in:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Face Wash
• Body Wash
• Liquid Soap
• Cream
• Lotion
• Facial Cleanser
• Toner
• Hair Care Products

It can help bring water-based formulations to a suitable acidic pH.

3. Bath Bomb Making

Citric Acid is one of the key ingredients in bath bombs.

When combined with Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) and exposed to water, it produces a fizzing reaction.

Typical basic ratio:

Citric Acid : Sodium Bicarbonate = approximately 1 : 2

The exact formulation may be adjusted depending on the desired hardness, texture, moisture level, and performance.

4. Soap Making

Citric Acid can be used in certain soap formulations, particularly where the formulator wants to incorporate citrate functionality. However, in cold-process soap, it reacts with NaOH and therefore the formulation should account for the additional alkali requirement.

It may also be used for pH adjustment in some liquid soap or personal-care formulations.

5. Pharmaceutical Applications

Appropriately specified pharmaceutical-grade Citric Acid may be used in:

• Effervescent Tablets
• Oral Formulations
• Pharmaceutical Buffers
• pH Adjustment
• Effervescent Preparations

Pharmaceutical applications require the appropriate pharmacopeial grade and documentation.

6. Cleaning Products

Citric Acid is widely used in:

• Descaling Products
• Bathroom Cleaners
• Kitchen Cleaners
• Limescale Removers
• Kettle & Appliance Cleaners
• Household Cleaning Formulations

It is particularly useful for removing mineral deposits and limescale.