# Sodium lactate and citric acid

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Germany.

Work well together

Use them together by applying the acid first and the buffer second, for a gentler and more comfortable routine. The buffer ingredient helps keep the acid at a safe and effective level so it does not sting your face. If your skin feels sensitive, you can try using a lower strength product or leave more time between applying them.

- [All about sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/sodium-lactate)
- [All about citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid)

### [Sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/sodium-lactate) products

- [Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/eucerin/advanced-repair-lotion/for/sensitive-skin) — High fit — [€62.44 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000XY9LT4?tag=lovi-care-web-product05-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Eucerin UreaRepair Plus 10% Urea Lotion](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/eucerin/urearepair-plus-10-urea-lotion/for/dry-skin) — Superior fit
- [Vivant 8% Mandelic Acid Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/vivant/8-mandelic-acid-serum/for/sensitive-skin) — High fit
- [Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/aesop/b-triple-c-facial-balancing-gel/for/combination-skin) — High fit
- [REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/ren-clean-skincare/ready-steady-glow-daily-aha-tonic/for/acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit

### [Citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid) products

- [The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/the-ordinary/salicylic-acid-2-solution/for/dry-skin) — Average fit — [€7.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C3PCJ6SD?tag=lovi-care-web-product05-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Baby Unscented)](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/dr-bronner-s/pure-castile-liquid-soap-baby-unscented/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — Average fit
- [Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/thayers/hydrating-milky-toner/for/dry-skin) — High fit — [€23.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BQCRH6D8?tag=lovi-care-web-product05-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/seven-minerals/organic-aloe-vera-gel/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — Average fit
- [SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/skinceuticals/blemish-age-defense/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [€96.89 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07HCGKJ76?tag=lovi-care-web-product05-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/naturie/hatomugi-skin-conditioner/for/sensitive-skin) — High fit
- [E45 Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/e45/cream/for/dry-skin) — High fit — [€6.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CQ8S7FNL?tag=lovi-care-web-product05-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [NATURIUM BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/naturium/bha-liquid-exfoliant-2/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit
- [Dr. Sam's Flawless Cleanser](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/dr-sam-s/flawless-cleanser/for/dry-skin) — High fit
- [Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/kiehl-s/calendula-deep-cleansing-foaming-face-wash/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [€25.45 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00O19W9UA?tag=lovi-care-web-product05-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Neutrogena Hydro Boost Micellar Water](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/neutrogena/hydro-boost-micellar-water/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [€4.95 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07JMXSSYN?tag=lovi-care-web-product05-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Garnier SkinActive Blackhead Eliminating Scrub](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/p/garnier-skinactive/blackhead-eliminating-scrub/for/oily-skin) — Low fit

## Questions and answers

### Can you use sodium lactate and citric acid together?

Yes, you can use [sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/sodium-lactate) and [citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid) together because sodium lactate acts as a mild base to help buffer citric acid, making the combination gentler on sensitive skin. Lovi rates the fit between sodium lactate and citric acid as Superior.

### Which goes first, sodium lactate or citric acid?

Sodium lactate and citric acid work well together to help maintain a safe pH balance for all skin types. The page facts do not specify an order for applying them.

### Are sodium lactate and citric acid good for sensitive skin?

Sodium lactate and citric acid work well together and are beneficial for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The combination helps maintain a skin-safe pH range for better tolerance in multi-acid systems.

## Research on sodium lactate and citric acid

- [Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of a facial serum containing dioic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, LHA, citric acid, and HEPES in treating post-inflammatory hyperchromia and controlling oily skin in patients with acne vulgaris](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33617668/) Citric acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
- [Comparison of clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel to a novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid in the treatment of acne vulgaris](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23545907/) Citric acid · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

## Other combinations

- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/retinol-and-citric-acid)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/niacinamide-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-sodium-lactate)
- Work well together: [Citric acid and tromethamine](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-tromethamine)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-sodium-lactate)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-sodium-lactate)
- Work well together: [Mandelic acid and sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/mandelic-acid-and-sodium-lactate)
- Work well together: [Betaine and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/betaine-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Glycerin and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/glycerin-and-citric-acid)
- Depends on the strength: [Hyaluronic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/hyaluronic-acid-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/acetyl-hexapeptide-3-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Carnosine and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/carnosine-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Collagen peptide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/collagen-peptide-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Copper peptide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/copper-peptide-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Citric acid and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Keep them apart: [Citric acid and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Keep them apart: [Citric acid and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Keep them apart: [Citric acid and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Keep them apart: [Citric acid and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Keep them apart: [Adapalene and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/adapalene-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Granactive retinoid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/granactive-retinoid-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Pro-retinol and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/pro-retinol-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinoid blend and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/retinoid-blend-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Tretinoin and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/tretinoin-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Gluconolactone and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/gluconolactone-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Lactobionic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/lactobionic-acid-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Cholesterol and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/cholesterol-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Citric acid and lauric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-lauric-acid)
- Work well together: [Linoleic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/linoleic-acid-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Citric acid and tri-ceramide complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-tri-ceramide-complex)
- Work well together: [Arginine and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/arginine-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Citric acid and GABA](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-gaba)
- Work well together: [Silk amino acids and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/silk-amino-acids-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Taurine and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/taurine-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Citric acid and theanine](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-theanine)
- Work well together: [Ferulic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/ferulic-acid-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Vitamin E and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/vitamin-e-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Azelaic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/azelaic-acid-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Salicylic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/salicylic-acid-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Allantoin and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/allantoin-and-citric-acid)
- Work well together: [Citric acid and bisabolol](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/citric-acid-and-bisabolol)
- Work well together: [Panthenol and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/panthenol-and-citric-acid)

## About the Lovi Fit

Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes.

Lovi checks every pairing with brand-independent rules its dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning.

Behind this pairing advice: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board).

Page built Nov 8, 2026.

More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt

## This page in other countries

- United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid (this page)
- France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid