Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Lactic vs Citric acid for ph in a gel cream

  • Lactic vs Citric acid for ph in a gel cream

    Posted by GeorgeBenson on April 28, 2022 at 7:40 am

    Is there any reason to use one vs the other for lowering ph in and face gel cream? I am using Sepinov EMT 10 as emulsifier if that makes any difference. Thanks!

    Pharma replied 2 years ago 5 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • Graillotion

    Member
    April 28, 2022 at 7:46 am

    Cost.

    All though, my chemist suggested to me, that lactic is more skin friendly.

  • gordof

    Member
    April 28, 2022 at 8:09 am

    The smell can be a problem with lactic acid. especially in a face product if the Perfum is not strong enough. 

    The advantage of LActic acid is more skin-friendly and there is some evidence that it helps against microbes. 

  • GeorgeBenson

    Member
    April 28, 2022 at 8:33 am

    Ok good to know. So other than those differences mentioned neither one is better/worse for stability of the emulsion?

  • Abdullah

    Member
    April 28, 2022 at 12:00 pm

    Citric acid is also completely skin friendly. But lactic acid has extra benefits like exfoliation and skin hydration.

    Citric acid creates problems with cationic ingredients 

  • GeorgeBenson

    Member
    April 29, 2022 at 1:49 am

    Ive noticed that citric acid can lower the viscosity of emulsions made with some seppic polymers, would lactic acid also do this?

  • Pharma

    Member
    April 29, 2022 at 7:48 am
    Lactic acid is less likely to interfere with other ingredients and hence is less likely to cause a drop in viscosity. Citric acid and cationics as an example are not the best combo whilst lactic acid would work.
    Lactic acid (given that you don’t use a super diluted form) also drops pH stronger per gram added. On the other hand, citric acid has a better buffering (something you usually don’t really need…) and an intermediate chelating capacity (wouldn’t rely solely on citric acid as chelate, though).

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