Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Using Citric Acid to Lower pH

  • Using Citric Acid to Lower pH

    Posted by Zeeshan on December 1, 2020 at 9:08 am

    Hi All,

    Would using citric acid to lower the pH of water have any effect on the final product? 

    We are making a body lotion but the pH is on the higher side, and I thought of using citric acid to lower the pH of the water and then use that to make the product.

    Also, can the same technique be used for hand sanitizer to lower the pH?

    Thanks in advance.

    Zeeshan

    Zeeshan replied 3 years, 10 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • Graillotion

    Member
    December 1, 2020 at 9:33 pm

    I think citric acid….is the go to product for lowering pH in emulsions.

    Can’t speak for hand sanitizer….as I don’t work with it.

  • MarkBroussard

    Member
    December 2, 2020 at 3:18 am

    @Zeeshan:

    Yes, Citric Acid is most commonly used to adjust pH, although you could use other acids such as Phytic Acid or Lactic Acid to achieve the same effect.  Citric Acid is pretty much formula independent, so no problems using it in a hand sanitizer

  • Zeeshan

    Member
    December 2, 2020 at 12:58 pm

    Thank you @Graillotion and @MarkBroussard for your responses - much appreciated 🙂

Log in to reply.

Chemists Corner